firm

firm
I UK [fɜː(r)m] / US [fɜrm] noun [countable]
Word forms "firm":
singular firm plural firms
***
a business or company

a building/engineering/law firm

a large firm:

She works for a large firm.

firm of:

a firm of accountants/architects/solicitors


II UK [fɜː(r)m] / US [fɜrm] adjective
Word forms "firm":
adjective firm comparative firmer superlative firmest
***
1) solid but not hard

The ground underfoot was fairly firm and not too muddy.

I sleep better on a firm mattress.

firm, ripe tomatoes

2)
a) steady and fixed in place

Make sure the ladder is firm before you start to climb.

b) steady and not likely to change

The dollar remained firm against the yen today.

3)
a) definite and not likely to change

Have you set a firm date for the meeting?

a firm commitment:

We want a firm commitment that resources will be provided.

a firm belief/conviction:

It is my firm belief that we must encourage debate.

a firm believer:

Mark's a firm believer in discipline for children.

a firm favourite:

The Rams are firm favourites to take the title this year.

b) definite and reliable
firm evidence:

No firm evidence links pollution with asthma.

firm news:

All we have at the moment is rumours – no firm news.

4) showing that you are in control of a situation and will not be easily forced to do something

Her staff regard her as firm but fair.

What the party needs now is firm leadership.

be firm with someone:

You sometimes have to be firm with young children.

take firm action:

The government must take firm action to stop the fighting.

5) physically or mentally strong

She took a firm hold of the stick and pulled hard.

Her handshake was firm and her smile warm.

Bruce put a firm hand on my arm.

•

take a firm stand/line — to state your opinion and refuse to change it

The government has taken a firm line on illegal immigration.


Derived words:
firmly
adverb

I firmly believe that we must act at once.


firmness
noun uncountable
III UK [fɜː(r)m] / US [fɜrm] verb
Word forms "firm":
present tense I/you/we/they firm he/she/it firms present participle firming past tense firmed past participle firmed
1)
a) [transitive] to make something more solid and strong

Gently firm the earth around the new plants.

b) [intransitive] literary to become or appear stronger

Anna's jaw firmed as she thought of what she must do.

2) [intransitive] to become less likely to change

Share prices have firmed for the fourth day in a row.

Phrasal verbs:

English dictionary. 2014.

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Synonyms:
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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Firm — or The Firm can have several meanings:*Any business entity such as a corporation, partnership or sole proprietorship. This more general meaning is used in macroeconomics (in terms such as ideal firm size). *The word firm is sometimes used in a… …   Wikipedia

  • firm — adj Firm, hard, solid are comparable chiefly as meaning having a texture or consistency that markedly resists deformation by external force. Firm (opposed to loose, flabby) suggests such closeness or compactness of texture or a consistency so… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • Firm — Firm, a. [Compar. {Firmer}; superl. {Firmest}.] [OE. ferme, F. ferme, fr.L. firmus; cf. Skr. dharman support, law, order, dh? to hold fast, carry. Cf. {Farm}, {Throne}.] 1. Fixed; hence, closely compressed; compact; substantial; hard; solid;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • firm — firm1 [fʉrm] adj. [ME ferm < OFr < L firmus < IE base * dher , to hold, support > Sans dhárma, precept, law, Gr thronos, armchair] 1. not yielding easily under pressure; solid; hard 2. not moved or shaken easily; fixed; stable 3.… …   English World dictionary

  • firm — Ⅰ. firm [1] ► ADJECTIVE 1) having an unyielding surface or structure. 2) solidly in place and stable. 3) having steady power or strength: a firm grip. 4) showing resolute determination. 5) fixed or definite: firm plans …   English terms dictionary

  • Firm — Firm, n. [It. firma the (firm, sure, or confirming) signature or subscription, or Pg. firma signature, firm, cf. Sp. firma signature; all fr. L. firmus, adj., firm. See {Firm}, a.] The name, title, or style, under which a company transacts… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • firm — n [German Firma, from Italian, signature, ultimately from Latin firmare to make firm, confirm] 1: the name or title under which a company transacts business 2: a partnership of two or more persons that is not recognized as a legal person distinct …   Law dictionary

  • Firm — Firm, v. t. [OE. fermen to make firm, F. fermer, fr. L. firmare to make firm. See {Firm}, a.] 1. To fix; to settle; to confirm; to establish. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] And Jove has firmed it with an awful nod. Dryden. [1913 Webster] 2. To fix or… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • firm — [adj1] inflexible close, close grained, compact, compressed, concentrated, concrete, condensed, congealed, dense, fine grained, hard, hardened, heavy, impenetrable, impermeable, impervious, inelastic, jelled, nonporous, refractory, rigid, set,… …   New thesaurus

  • firm — Adj erw. fremd. Erkennbar fremd (18. Jh.) Entlehnung. Entlehnt aus l. fīrmus fest, sicher, stark , wohl in Anlehnung an ne. firm.    Ebenso ne. firm. Hierzu unmittelbar firmen, zu dessen lateinischem Vorbild auch Firma und Firmament gehören; ein… …   Etymologisches Wörterbuch der deutschen sprache

  • firm — adverb is used mainly in two fixed expressions, to stand firm and to hold firm to. In all other contexts the natural adverbial form is firmly: The bracket was firmly fixed to the wall …   Modern English usage

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