firm

1 of 4

adjective

ˈfərm

Synonyms of firm next

: securely or solidly fixed in place

his teeth were firm

: not weak or uncertain : vigorous

a firm handshake

: having a solid or compact structure that resists stress or pressure

firm apples

a(1)

: not subject to change or revision

a firm offer

a firm date

(2)

: not subject to price weakness : steady

firm commodities

: not easily moved or disturbed : steadfast

a firm believer in democracy

: well-founded

firm evidence of criminal activity

: indicating firmness or resolution

a firm mouth

a firm voice

firmly adverb

firmness noun

firm

2 of 4

adverb

: in a firm manner : steadfastly, fixedly

firm

3 of 4

verb

firmed; firming; firms

transitive verb

: to make secure or fast : tighten

firming her grip on the racquet

—often used with up

: to make solid or compact

firm the soil

: to put into final form : settle

firm a contract

firm up plans

: to give additional support to : strengthen

—usually used with up

intransitive verb

: to become firm : harden

—often used with up

: to recover from a decline : improve

the market is firming

firm

4 of 4

noun

: the name or title under which a company transacts business

: a partnership of two or more persons that is not recognized as a legal person distinct from the members composing it

: a business unit or enterprise

Examples of firm in a Sentence

Adjective She has a firm grasp of the basic principles. They insist on maintaining firm control over the project. He spoke to her in a soft but firm voice. The time has come for us to take a firm stand. The children need gentle but firm handling. Verb wait for the modeling clay to firm up before handling the finished pot Noun merged with another firm to become a major player in the brokerage business

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The area is also very walkable for those wanting to get their step count in while on the hunt for nutritious, budget-friendly meals, with a firm local favorite being the various barbeque offerings. —

Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 9 July 2024 There are 745 grocery stores in the region, up from 722 in 2020, according to sales tracking firm Chain Store Guide. —

Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 9 July 2024

Adverb

The Golden Knights generated multiple good chances, but Quick and the rest of Los Angeles' makeshift defense held firm once again to preserve the tie. —

Tim Hackett, SI.com, 14 Apr. 2018

Verb

Yet this reimagined Defender 6×6, despite its 27-foot length and 7,000-pound weight, has a steering system that noticeably firms up and improves the precision lacking on older Landies, thanks largely to the more powerful hydraulic power-steering pump of the Corvette’s 480 hp V-8 engine. —

Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 8 May 2024 Once the election results firm up, von der Leyen will still need the support of 361 MEPs in the new parliament, which looks more skewed to the right than before. —

Eva Roytburg, Fortune Europe, 10 June 2024

Noun

According to the firm, its technology has the potential to cut yearly GHG emissions by about 7 million metric tons, or the equivalent of taking 1.8 million automobiles off the road, if it were solely used in Canada. —

Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 1 July 2024 Security firm Recorded Future says the group has breached at least 95 organizations across the globe. —

Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 1 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for firm

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'firm.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective, Adverb, and Verb

Middle English ferm, from Anglo-French, from Latin firmus; akin to Greek thronos chair, throne

Noun

German Firma, from Italian, signature, ultimately from Latin firmare to make firm, confirm, from firmus

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1744, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of firm was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Firm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/firm. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.

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Kids Definition

firm

1 of 4 adjective

ˈfərm

: solidly fixed in place

: not weak or uncertain : vigorous

: having a solid or compact texture

: not likely to be changed

a firm offer

: not easily moved or disturbed : steadfast

a firm believer

: indicating firmness or determination

firmly adverb

firmness noun

firm

2 of 4 adverb

: in a firm manner

stood firm

firm

3 of 4 verb

: to make secure

firm your grip on the racket

: to make solid or compact

firm the soil

: to become firm

firm

4 of 4 noun

: a business organization

law firm

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English ferm "firm, secure," from early French ferm (same meaning), from Latin firmus "firm, secure, solid"

Noun

from German firma "the name or sign under which a company does business," from Italian firma "signature," derived from Latin firmare "to make firm, to approve, to sign," from firmus "firm, secure"

Legal Definition

firm

noun

: the name or title under which a company transacts business

: a partnership of two or more persons that is not recognized as a legal person distinct from the members composing it

: a business unit or enterprise

Etymology

Noun

German Firma, from Italian, signature, ultimately from Latin firmare to make firm, confirm

Last Updated: 13 Jul 2024 - Updated example sentences

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firm

adjective

adverb

verb

noun

Synonyms

Examples of firm in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near firm

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Legal Definition