fixed
Americanadjective
-
fastened, attached, or placed so as to be firm and not readily movable; firmly implanted; stationary; rigid.
-
rendered stable or permanent, as color.
-
set or intent upon something; steadily directed.
a fixed stare.
-
definitely and permanently placed.
a fixed buoy;
a fixed line of defense.
-
not fluctuating or varying; definite.
a fixed purpose.
-
supplied with or having enough of something necessary or wanted, as money.
-
coming each year on the same calendar date.
Christmas is a fixed holiday, but Easter is not.
-
put in order.
-
Informal. arranged in advance privately or dishonestly.
a fixed horse race.
-
Chemistry.
-
(of an element) taken into a compound from its free state.
-
nonvolatile, or not easily volatilized.
a fixed oil.
-
-
Mathematics. (of a point) mapped to itself by a given function.
adjective
-
attached or placed so as to be immovable
-
not subject to change; stable
fixed prices
-
steadily directed
a fixed expression
-
established as to relative position
a fixed point
-
not fluctuating; always at the same time
a fixed holiday
-
(of ideas, notions, etc) firmly maintained
-
(of an element) held in chemical combination
fixed nitrogen
-
(of a substance) nonvolatile
-
arranged
-
astrology of, relating to, or belonging to the group consisting of the four signs of the zodiac Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius, which are associated with stability Compare cardinal mutable
-
informal equipped or provided for, as with money, possessions, etc
-
informal illegally arranged
a fixed trial
Other Word Forms
- fixedly adverb
- fixedness noun
- semifixed adjective
Etymology
Origin of fixed
Explanation
Something fixed is rigidly set or placed. A fixed point does not move, as in this quote: “She was his North Star, the fixed point round which his world turned” (from David Gemmell’s Fall of Kings). Anything described as fixed is unchangeable. A fixed rent can’t be raised by the landlord because it’s legally set at a certain amount. That’s handy if you have a fixed income –- one that stays the same every month no matter what. A fixed piece of wood is nailed to the wall. Fixed things are stable and constant. A fixed stare doesn’t look away. Fixed also means “mended” like if you fixed a broken chair before anyone sat.
Vocabulary lists containing fixed
"Sonnet 116"
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Lessons 4–5
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Each component behaves the same way, and once manufactured, the system remains fixed.
From Science Daily • Apr. 18, 2026
Offenders could receive a fixed penalty of £300 and six penalty points on their licence.
From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026
Taxes on structures—office buildings, apartments—will remain fixed or even lowered.
From Barron's • Apr. 17, 2026
Windows that appear to be fixed can actually be moved into different angles to avoid reflections of the camera crew in the room.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026
“If me and Aunt Kitty are like sisters,” I whispered bitterly, my eyes fixed on the flames in the fireplace, “then I’d rather be alone.”
From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
