This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
terra firma
[ fur-muh ]
/ ˈtɛr ə ˈfɜr mə /
Save This Word!
This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
Definition of terra firma
noun
firm or solid earth; dry land (as opposed to water or air).
QUIZ
WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?
Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!
Question 1 of 7
Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.
Origin of terra firma
Borrowed into English from Latin around 1595–1605
Words nearby terra firma
terrace, terraced house, terrachlor, terracing, terracotta, terra firma, terraform, terraforming, terrain, terra incognita, terramara
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use terra firma in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for terra firma
terra firma
/ (ˈfɜːmə) /
noun
the solid earth; firm ground
Word Origin for terra firma
C17: from Latin
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
Cultural definitions for terra firma
terra firma
[ (ter-uh fur-muh) ]
Dry land, as opposed to the sea: “After our stormy voyage across the Atlantic Ocean, we were relieved to set foot on terra firma.” From Latin, meaning “firm (or solid) ground.”
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.