firmly

American  

[furm-lee] / ˈfɜrm li /

adverb

1. in a manner or position that is secure and solid.

   Make sure the grab bar is installed properly and remains firmly attached to the wall.

   The well-being of humankind, its peace and security, are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established.

2. in a calm, assertive, or authoritative voice or manner.

   As a teacher I learned how to speak firmly and loudly without being harsh.

3. in a resolute or unwavering manner.

   When people firmly believe something essential to their worldview, they construct supporting beliefs in order to avoid having that worldview collapse.

4. in a fixed way; steadily.

   To keep your eyes firmly focused on the road, make sure you have a pair of good sunglasses handy in case the sun becomes dazzling.

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Etymology

Origin of firmly

firm ¹ ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Jen Lyons, 33, stands firmly on the side of the future.

From The Wall Street Journal

Today, Los Angeles is firmly entrenched among the handful of most significant producers of new art in the world.

From Los Angeles Times

This tension, combined with lingering uncertainty over the full impact of U.S. tariffs and the need for inflation expectations to become firmly anchored, has split views on when the BOJ will act next.

From The Wall Street Journal

Villarreal secured their fifth consecutive league win to stay firmly in the Spanish title fight.

From Barron's

That was a day which ended with Salah firmly in the headlines.

From BBC

Related Words

• adamantly
• decisively
• doggedly
• persistently
• resolutely
• staunchly
• steadfastly
• strictly
• stubbornly
• tenaciously