firm

SayFURM/fɜɹm//fɜːm/

Pluralfirms

Adjectivefirmer, firmest

16 meanings of firm

Practice

1
businessnouncountable
A business or company, such as a group of lawyers or accountants who work together.
Like a team of people working together to sell something.
Her father runs a small law firm downtown.
The firm hired ten new workers this year.
UsageOften after a job word: a law firm, an accounting firm.
Note
2
hardadjective
Hard and solid, not soft or easy to bend.
Like a fresh carrot that does not bend.
The mattress was too firm for her to sleep on.
Press the clay until it feels firm.
UsageOften a good word for things that are not soft: firm fruit, firm muscles.
Similarsolid, hard, rigid, stiff
Oppositesoft, mushy, squashy
3
adjective
Not changing what you think or decide, even when people push you.
Like someone who keeps the same answer even when others disagree.
She was firm in her belief that the team would win.
He stayed firm about not lending the car.
UsageSay a firm believer, or stay firm in what you believe.
Similaruncompromising, unyielding
4
secureadjective
Held in place strongly, so it does not move or shake.
Like a tree with deep roots that does not fall over.
Make sure the ladder is firm before you climb it.
The tent stayed firm even in the strong wind.
UsageOften in a firm grip or a firm handshake.
Similarsecure, steady, stable, fixed, tight
Oppositeloose, unsteady, shaky, unstable
5
adjective
Based on good reasons and able to be trusted.
Like a strong table that holds weight without wobbling.
We need firm proof before we accuse anyone.
The plan rests on firm facts, not guesses.
UsageOften in no firm proof or no firm evidence.
Similarsolid, sound, reliable, concrete
Oppositeflimsy, shaky, tenuous, unreliable
Note
6
adverb
In a steady, solid way, without moving or giving in.
Like a tree that does not bend in a storm.
Stand firm and do not let go of the rope.
He held firm against the strong wind.
UsageUsed in stand firm and hold firm. In other phrases, people usually say firmly.

Less common meanings

7
adjective
Making clear that something must be done, and not letting others argue.
Like a referee who will not change a call no matter how much players complain.
The teacher was firm about no phones in class.
Mom is firm about one rule: no phones at the dinner table.
UsageBe firm with a person, and firm about a rule.
Similarstrict, stern, tough, resolute
Oppositelenient, permissive, lax
8
definiteadjective
Certain and not likely to change, used about things like an offer, a date or a plan.
We don't have a firm date for the wedding yet.
The team will give us a firm answer by Friday.
UsageOften a firm date or a firm answer. To firm up a plan is to make it settled.
Similardefinite, confirmed, fixed, settled
Oppositetentative, provisional
9
hardenverbtransitive
To make something harder, more solid, or more fixed in place.
Like pressing down loose dirt so a fence post stays still.
Workers firmed the soil around the new posts.
Pat the sand to firm the base of the castle.
UsagePeople often say firm up: exercise can firm up your legs.
Similarharden, stiffen
Oppositesoften
Note
10
hardenverbintransitive
To become solid or steady after being soft or loose.
Like soft butter getting hard again when you put it back in the fridge.
The jelly will firm as it cools in the fridge.
Let the fudge firm in the fridge before you cut it.
UsageIn recipes: let it cool until it firms up.
Similarset, solidify, thicken, congeal, steady
Oppositemelt
11
prices not fallingadjective
Of prices or money, staying at the same level or going up, not going down.
Gas prices stayed firm all summer.
The dollar was a little firmer against the euro today.
UsageOften stay firm or remain firm. The opposite is weak.
Similarsteady, stable, strong
Oppositeweak
Note
12
verbintransitive
To get better again after going down or getting worse.
Like a sick person slowly getting their strength back.
Prices began to firm after the long slump.
After falling all week, prices began to firm on Friday.
Similarrally, recover, strengthen, rebound
Oppositeweaken, fall, slump, decline
Note
13
gangnounslangcountable
A gang of criminals, especially one formed around violent soccer fans.
Like a fighting crew that travels together to cause trouble.
The police arrested several members of a local firm after the match.
He used to run with a firm that started fights at games.
Similargang, crew, mob
Note
14
push throughverbcolloquialtransitive
To force yourself to get through something hard or unpleasant.
He decided to firm it and finish the race despite the blisters.
The meeting was so boring, but I firmed it and stayed to the end.
UsagePeople usually say firm it.
Similarendure, bear, weather, brave
15
choose universityverbslangUKtransitive
To pick a university's offer as your first choice, so you get the place if you meet its conditions.
Like locking in your top pick so it happens by itself if you qualify.
She decided to firm her local university and skip the backup option.
He firmed the college that gave him the best offer.
Similarchoose, select
Note
16
betting oddsverbAustraliaintransitive
Of betting odds, to get shorter, so a winning bet pays back less money.
On race day, the odds on the top horse can firm very quickly.
His price firmed as more bets came in.
Similarshorten
Oppositedrift, lengthen
Note

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of firm apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origins

Meanings 1, 13

From Italian firma meaning 'signature', from Latin firmus meaning 'firm, stable'. The business sense grew in the 18th century alongside German Firma.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 5 facts

The business noun firm derives from Italian firma, meaning signature. jbs.cam.ac.uk
Italian firma ultimately derives from Latin firmus. en.wiktionary.org
Latin firmus means firm or stable. en.wiktionary.org
The English business sense developed in the eighteenth century. jbs.cam.ac.uk
German Firma emerged during the same century. de.wiktionary.org

Meanings 2–8, 11

From Latin firmus, meaning 'strong, steady', through Old French and Middle English.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

English firm derives ultimately from Latin firmus through Old French and Middle English. en.wiktionary.org
Latin firmus means 'strong, steady'. en.wiktionary.org

Meanings 9–10, 12, 14–16

Middle English fermen ('to make firm') came partly from the Latin verb firmō (from firmus) and partly from the adjective 'firm', made into a new verb.