firm1
[furm]
- not soft or yielding when pressed; comparatively solid, hard, stiff, or rigid: firm ground; firm texture.
- securely fixed in place.
- not shaking or trembling; steady: a firm voice.
- not likely to change; fixed; settled; unalterable: a firm belief.
- steadfast or unwavering, as persons or principles: firm friends.
- indicating firmness or determination: a firm expression.
- not fluctuating much or falling, as prices, values, etc.: The stock market was firm today.
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- to make firm; tighten or strengthen (sometimes followed by up): to firm up one's hold on something.
- to steady or fix (sometimes followed by up): to firm up prices.
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- to become firm or fixed (sometimes followed by up): Butter firms by churning.
- (of prices, markets, etc.) to recover; become stronger, as after a decline (sometimes followed by up): Stock prices firmed again today.
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- firmly: He stood firm.
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Origin of firm1
1300–50; < Latin firmus; replacing Middle English ferm < Middle French < Latin
Synonyms
See more synonyms for firm on Thesaurus.com1. 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. 2. fast, stable, immovable. 4. established, confirmed. 5. determined, immovable, staunch, reliable.
Antonyms
1. yielding, soft.
firm2
[furm]
- a partnership or association for carrying on a business.
- the name or title under which associated parties transact business: the firm of Smith & Jones.
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Origin of firm2
1565–75; < Spanish firma signature (hence, legal name of a partnership, etc.), noun derivative firmar to sign < Latin firmāre to strengthen, confirm, derivative of firmus firm1
Synonyms
See more synonyms for firm on Thesaurus.com1. company, business, concern, house.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for firm
Contemporary Examples
In 2006, the firm presided over a routine steam-injection procedure known as “well stimulation.”
He declined to discuss why the RDIF chose his firm or to elaborate on the specific media services provided to the fund.
Exclusive: Did This Manhattan Firm Help Shield a Russian Fund From Sanctions?Bill Conroy
November 10, 2014
And Goldin Solutions is not the lone U.S. firm retained by the RDIF.
Exclusive: Did This Manhattan Firm Help Shield a Russian Fund From Sanctions?Bill Conroy
November 10, 2014
UPDATE: "My firm has done nothing to shield anyone or any entity from any sanctions," Goldin told The Daily Beast in an email.
Exclusive: Did This Manhattan Firm Help Shield a Russian Fund From Sanctions?Bill Conroy
November 10, 2014
Even her brother, Sheriff, who tried to pick her up to cuddle her, was pushed away with a firm “no” and a shriek.
Historical Examples
These books are issued to the hands employed by the firm free.
The Story of the Invention of Steel PensHenry Bore
Some have unwisely chosen to test America's resolve, and have found it firm.
With a firm and unanimous voice the resolution to follow him was adopted.
A Sketch of the Life of Brig. Gen. Francis MarionWilliam Dobein James
I made them unload the drays and carry the loads to firm ground.
They have no firm philosophy of life on which they or those who would help them can lay hold.
The Conquest of FearBasil King
firm1
- not soft or yielding to a touch or pressure; rigid; solid
- securely in position; stable or stationary
- definitely established; decided; settled
- enduring or steady; constant
- having determination or strength; resolute
- (of prices, markets, etc) tending to rise
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- in a secure, stable, or unyielding mannerhe stood firm over his obligation to pay
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- (sometimes foll by up) to make or become firm
- (intr) Australian horse racing (of a horse) to shorten in odds
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Word Origin
C14: from Latin firmus
firm2
- a business partnership
- any commercial enterprise
- a team of doctors and their assistants
- British slang
- a gang of criminals
- a gang of football hooligans
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Word Origin
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
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for firm
adj.
late 14c., from Old French ferm (12c.) "firm, strong, vigorous, steadfast; loyal, faithful," from Latin firmus "firm, strong, steadfast, enduring, stable," from PIE root *dher- "to hold, support" (cf. Sanskrit dharmah "custom, law," Greek thronos "seat," Lithuanian dirzmas "strong," Welsh dir "hard," Breton dir "steel"). The return in late 1500s to -i- from Middle English ferme was modeled on Latin. Related: Firmly; firmness.
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n.
"business house," 1744, from German Firma "a business, name of a business," originally "signature," from Italian firma "signature," from firmare "to sign," from Latin firmare "make firm, affirm," in Late Latin, "confirm (by signature)," from firmus "firm, stable" (see firm (adj.)).
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v.
c.1300, fermen "make firm, establish," from Old French fermer (12c.) or directly from Latin firmare, from firmus (see firm (adj.)). Related: Firmed; firming.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper