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.

---

Etymology

Origin of firmly

firm ¹ ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Now he is ready to go again, with his sights firmly set on equalling Italian legend Giacomo Agostini's record eight premier class world titles.

From Barron's

The last-minute offer from Paramount added a wild twist to an already dramatic bidding process for the legendary Hollywood studio, HBO Max streaming service and television business that had seemed firmly in Netflix’s hands.

From MarketWatch

On the original, Dylan firmly asserts, but the arrangement here is a full-throated declaration and a celebration of the progress made at that point in history.

From Salon

By firmly defining these perceptual features, the researchers supply a crucial missing component that helps fulfill Schrödinger's original goal of creating a self-contained model.

From Science Daily

We stand firmly alongside him, and alongside all footballers who are forced to endure this abuse from anonymous accounts acting with apparent impunity.

From BBC

Related Words

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