fix

FIKS/ˈfɪks/

Verbfixes, fixing, fixed

Noun pluralfixes

23 meanings of fix

Practice

1
repairverbtransitive
To make something broken work properly again.
Like putting a torn page back together with tape.
I need to fix the broken chair before dinner.
She fixed the leaky faucet herself.
UsageSay get your phone fixed when someone repairs it.
Similarrepair, mend, restore, patch, correct
Oppositebreak, damage
2
patch (problem)nouncountable
A repair, or something done to correct a problem.
Like a patch that covers a hole in a tire.
The plumber's quick fix stopped the leak for now.
We need a real fix, not just a temporary patch.
UsageSay a fix for a problem, or a quick fix.
Similarrepair, remedy, solution, patch, cure
3
set firmlyverbtransitive
To attach something firmly, or to set a time or place for it.
Like gluing a poster so it stays on the wall.
Please fix the shelf to the wall with screws.
They fixed the date for the wedding in June.
UsageSay fix it to the wall, or fix a date.
Similarattach, fasten, secure, set, arrange
Oppositedetach, remove
4
prepare foodverbcolloquial
To make or prepare food or a drink.
Like getting a meal ready for someone.
Let me fix you a sandwich before you go.
She fixed a big breakfast for the whole family.
UsageSay fix you a drink or fix dinner.
Similarmake, prepare, cook
Note
5
regular treatnounslangfigurativelycountable
A dose of something you crave and enjoy, like your daily coffee fix.
Like a snack that stops you feeling hungry.
She gets her daily fix of coffee before work.
He needed a fix of fresh air after the long meeting.
UsageSay your daily fix of coffee.
Similardose, hit
6
focusverbfigurativelypassivetransitive
To look at or pay attention to someone or something steadily.
Like pointing a flashlight at one spot and holding it there.
She fixed her eyes on the door, waiting.
Try to fix your mind on the task.
UsageSay fix your eyes on something.
Similarfocus, fasten, rivet, concentrate, train
7
make usableverbtransitive
To change a substance into a stable form, or into a form that living things can use.
Like turning a loose gas into something solid that can be stored and used.
Certain bacteria fix nitrogen straight from the air.
These plants help fix carbon in the soil.
UsageUsually in fix nitrogen or fix carbon.
Similarcapture, assimilate, convert
Note

Less common meanings

8
rig (contest)verbtransitive
To secretly arrange a contest or vote so the result is unfair.
Like deciding who wins a race before anyone runs.
They tried to fix the election by buying votes.
Gamblers paid players to fix the match.
UsageSay a game was fixed.
Similarrig, manipulate
9
rigged resultnouncountable
A secret plan that decides the result of a game or contest before it happens.
Like knowing who wins before the players even start.
The whole game was a fix, decided long before kickoff.
Investigators uncovered a fix in the boxing match.
UsageSay the fix is in when the result is already decided.
Similarsetup, sham, fraud, swindle
Note
10
pet surgeryverbcolloquialUStransitive
To have an operation done on an animal so it cannot have babies.
We need to fix the cat before she has kittens.
They fixed their dog at the local clinic.
UsageSay get the dog fixed.
Similarneuter, sterilize, spay
11
troublenouncountable
A hard or tricky situation that is not easy to get out of.
Like being stuck in mud and not able to move.
We were in a real fix when the car broke down miles from town.
His lies put him in a difficult fix.
UsageSay in a fix when you are in trouble.
Similartrouble, predicament, jam, difficulty, dilemma
Note
12
drug dosenounslangcountable
A single amount of a drug, especially one that is injected into the body.
Like one dose of medicine, but for someone who can't stop needing it.
The addict needed a fix before he could think straight.
He spent his last few dollars on a fix.
UsageSay someone needs a fix.
Similardose, hit, shot
Note
13
take revengeverbcolloquialtransitive
To get back at someone, or to punish them for something.
Like getting even with someone who was unfair to you.
Don't worry, I'll fix him for what he did to you.
If you break my bike again, I'll fix you!
UsageSay I'll fix him as a threat.
Similarpunish, get
14
photographyverbtransitive
To treat a photo so its image becomes permanent and won't fade in light.
Like spraying a drawing with sealant so it can't smudge.
Photographers fix the image so it will not fade away.
She fixed the print in a tray of chemicals.
15
understandingnouncountable
A clear understanding or grasp of how something works.
Like finally seeing the full picture of a puzzle.
Once I got a fix on the rules, the game made sense.
She finally got a good fix on what her boss wanted.
UsageSay get a fix on something when you start to understand it.
Similarhandle, grasp, grip, read
16
locationnouncountable
A finding of where you are, using instruments or landmarks, or a landmark used to find it.
Like using a map and two signs to know exactly where you are.
The pilot got a fix on the plane's position using the stars.
We took a fix from two landmarks to find our spot.
UsageSay get a fix on where you are.
Similarposition
17
inject drugsverbslangintransitive
To inject yourself with an illegal drug.
He would fix in the back room every night.
She fixed alone in the dark and hoped no one would find her.
Similarinject, shoot
Note
18
verbobsoletetransitive
To stab through or pierce something with a sharp point.
Note
19
verbarchaic
To settle in one place and stay there, instead of moving around.
A cheerless place! the solitary Bee, Whose buzzing was the only sound of life, Flew there on restless wing, Seeking in vain one blossom, where to fix.
1801, Robert Southey, Thalaba the Destroyer
20
verbobsolete
To become solid and stop flowing, as a hot liquid or metal does when it cools.
quicksilver will fix, so asto endure the hammer
1627, Francis [Bacon], Sylua Syluarum
21
verb
In math, to keep a point in place by mapping it onto itself.
22
verb
In chess, to stop an enemy pawn from moving forward by blocking it with your own pawn.
23
nounUS
A material used to line the inside of a furnace.

Practice

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

Origin

From Latin fixus meaning "fixed" or "steady," from a verb meaning "to fasten" or "stick in." It came into English through Old French.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 3 facts

Fix derives ultimately from Latin fixus, meaning "fixed" or "steady". en.wiktionary.org
Latin fixus derives from a verb meaning "to fasten" or "stick in". en.wiktionary.org
Fix entered English through Old French. en.wiktionary.org