firm

¹

[furm]

adjective

firmer, firmest 

1. not soft or yielding when pressed; comparatively solid, hard, stiff, or rigid.

   firm ground;

   firm texture.

   Antonyms: soft, yielding

2. securely fixed in place.

   Synonyms: immovable, stable, fast

3. not shaking or trembling; steady.

   a firm voice.

4. not likely to change; fixed; settled; unalterable.

   a firm belief.

   Synonyms: confirmed

5. steadfast or unwavering, as persons or principles.

   firm friends.

   Synonyms: reliable, staunch, immovable, determined

6. indicating firmness or determination.

   a firm expression.

7. not fluctuating much or falling, as prices, values, etc..

   The stock market was firm today.

verb (used with object)

1. to make firm; tighten or strengthen (sometimes followed byup ).

   to firm up one's hold on something.

2. to steady or fix (sometimes followed byup ).

   to firm up prices.

verb (used without object)

1. to become firm or fixed (sometimes followed byup ).

   Butter firms by churning.

2. (of prices, markets, etc.) to recover; become stronger, as after a decline (sometimes followed byup ).

   Stock prices firmed again today.

adverb

firmer, firmest 

1. firmly.

   He stood firm.

firm

²

[furm]

noun

1. a partnership or association for carrying on a business.

   Synonyms: house, concern, business, company

2. the name or title under which associated parties transact business.

   the firm of Smith & Jones.

firm

¹

/ fɜːm /

adjective

1. not soft or yielding to a touch or pressure; rigid; solid

2. securely in position; stable or stationary

3. definitely established; decided; settled

4. enduring or steady; constant

5. having determination or strength; resolute

6. (of prices, markets, etc) tending to rise

adverb

1. in a secure, stable, or unyielding manner

   he stood firm over his obligation to pay

verb

1. (sometimes foll by up) to make or become firm

2. (intr) horse racing (of a horse) to shorten in odds

firm

²

/ fɜːm /

noun

1. a business partnership

2. any commercial enterprise

3. a team of doctors and their assistants

4. slang

   1. a gang of criminals

   2. a gang of football hooligans

Other Word Forms

• firmly adverb
• firmness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of firm¹

First recorded in 1300–50; from Latin firmus; replacing Middle English ferm(e), from Middle French ferm(e), from Latin

Origin of firm²

First recorded in 1565–75; from Spanish firma “signature” (hence, legal name of a partnership), noun derivative of firmar “to sign,” from Latin firmāre “to strengthen, confirm,” derivative of firmus firm ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of firm¹

C14: from Latin firmus

Origin of firm²

C16 (in the sense: signature): from Spanish firma signature, title of a partnership or business concern, from firmar to sign, from Latin firmāre to confirm, from firmus firm

Synonym Study

Firm, hard, solid, stiff are applied to substances that tend to retain their form unaltered in spite of pressure or force. Firm often implies that something has been brought from a yielding state to a fixed or elastic one: An increased amount of pectin makes jellies firm. Hard is applied to substances so resistant that it is difficult to make any impression upon their surface or to penetrate their interior: as hard as a stone. Solid is applied to substances that without external support retain their form and resist pressure: Water in the form of ice is solid. It sometimes denotes the opposite of hollow: a solid block of marble. Stiff implies rigidity that resists a bending force: as stiff as a poker.

Example Sentences

Confidence among German firms worsened in November, a result of a gloomier business outlook for the coming months.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Despite carrying double-A ratings, they now yield roughly the same as International Business Machines bonds, which are rated single-A by the major ratings firms.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The firm added two members to its board, both investors who specialize in financial restructuring and turnarounds.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

This conflict revolves around Consettur losing its licence to a rival bus firm in this remote part of Peru, where, unless you want to hike over Andes mountains, the only access is by public transport.

Read more on BBC

Research firm Capital Economics estimates the Budget will knock 0.2% off GDP in 2026 – a meaningful hit to an economy that only grew 0.1% in the third quarter of this year.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• adamant 
• consistent 
• determined 
• explicit 
• flat 
• persistent 
• resolute 
• specific 
• stable 
• staunch 
• steadfast 
• steady 
• strict 
• strong 
• tenacious 
• unflinching 
• unshakable 
• unwavering 
• unyielding