1
a
: securely or solidly fixed in place
his teeth were firm
b
: not weak or uncertain : vigorous
a firm handshake
c
: having a solid or compact structure that resists stress or pressure
firm apples
2
a(1)
: not subject to change or revision
a firm offer
a firm date
(2)
: not subject to price weakness : steady
firm commodities
b
: not easily moved or disturbed : steadfast
a firm believer in democracy
c
: well-founded
firm evidence of criminal activity
3
: indicating firmness or resolution
a firm mouth
a firm voice
firmly
adverb
firmness
noun
: in a firm manner : steadfastly, fixedly
firmed; firming; firms
1
a
: to make secure or fast : tighten
firming her grip on the racquet
—often used with up
b
: to make solid or compact
firm the soil
2
: to put into final form : settle
firm a contract
firm up plans
3
: to give additional support to : strengthen
—usually used with up
1
: the name or title under which a company transacts business
2
: a partnership of two or more persons that is not recognized as a legal person distinct from the members composing it
3
: a business unit or enterprise
Synonyms
Examples of firm in a Sentence
Adjective
She has a firm grasp of the basic principles.
They insist on maintaining firm control over the project.
He spoke to her in a soft but firm voice.
The time has come for us to take a firm stand.
The children need gentle but firm handling.
Noun
merged with another firm to become a major player in the brokerage business
See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Richard J. Marcus, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Nov. 2023
Boies’ tenure as chairman of Boies Schiller Flexner ends December 2024, a firm spokesperson said on Friday.
—David Thomas, Fortune, 17 Nov. 2023
Sugar combines with the corn syrup for a firmer cookie.
—Alyssa Sybertz, Southern Living, 16 Nov. 2023
Israel had hoped the raid would turn up firm evidence of substantial militant activity in al-Shifa, a European diplomat told The Post on Thursday.
—Sarah Dadouch, Washington Post, 16 Nov. 2023
The agreement did not include much in the way of firm targets, David Waskow, international climate director with the World Resources Institute, said in a statement.
—E&e News, Scientific American, 15 Nov. 2023
Find it on Amazon Maintain Your Skin’s Firmness With Targeted Products
Maintain youthful, firm skin with the Lemcuh Neck Firming Cream.
—Samantha Booth, Rolling Stone, 15 Nov. 2023
Bake crust until firm: For a crisp crust that won't get soggy, bake your crust until firm and set before adding the cheesecake filling.
—Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 3 Nov. 2023
Being both firm and flexible, all that cartilage makes a baby's bones much more malleable than an adult's.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 3 Nov. 2023
Alexandra Meeks, CNN, 24 Feb. 2023
The Fed plans to publish aggregate findings from the exercise but no firm-specific information.
—Reuters, NBC News, 29 Sep. 2022
The mandatory disclosure of more firm-specific information has also improved capital allocation across various industries.
—Diane Hoskins, Fortune, 26 May 2022
For more firm-looking and radiant skin, this professional-grade pair is tops.
—Megan McIntyre, Town & Country, 21 Sep. 2021
In addition to the CIO, oversight from a sustainability committee that ensures a firm-wide holistic approach and quality control is helpful.
—Robert G. Eccles, Forbes, 19 Sep. 2021
After graduating from Yale University in 1949 with a bachelor’s degree in architecture (later converted to a master’s degree according to Jack Jr.,) Bialosky Sr. founded the firm now known as Bialosky Cleveland.
—Steven Litt, cleveland, 17 Apr. 2020
Another prominent original occupant — the trust company occupied about half the building — was the Los Angeles law firm now known as O’Melveny & Myers.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2019
Two law firms, Marchena and Graham and the former Broad & Cassel law firm now known as Nelson Mullins received the bulk of the payments.
—Beth Kassab, orlandosentinel.com, 18 Sep. 2019
Anamaria Glavan, Allure, 19 Nov. 2023
Abrego was elected to the post on Thursday night by the org’s Board of Governors, as the TV Academy also firmed up its roster of officers and governors for the board’s 2024-2025 term.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 17 Nov. 2023
Refrigerating after adding the filling will firm up the cookies.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 10 Nov. 2023
With regular application, the eye gel effectively blurs the fine lines around our eyes while also firming and smoothing the skin altogether.
—Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 4 Nov. 2023
Many pros partially backfill around the rootball, stomp the soil down, and then continue to fill the hole, firming the soil again while making sure that the root flare remains visible.
—Tovah Martin, Washington Post, 27 Sep. 2023
The Ilia Bright Start Retinol Alternative Brightening Eye Cream also features caffeine along with peptides for firming benefits.
—Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 4 Nov. 2023
Let cookies firm up after removing them from the oven for a crunchy exterior and soft interior.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 30 Oct. 2023
For avid travelers, that might look like an ultra-hydrating moisturizer, antioxidant-rich serum, or a firming eye cream to counteract and brighten those pesky, puffy dark circles brought on by the end of Daylight Savings.
—Emily Belfiore, Travel + Leisure, 12 Sep. 2023
Joel Khalili, WIRED, 22 Nov. 2023
In March, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission filed a civil suit against the firm and Mr. Zhao, accusing them of violating financial rules designed to protect U.S. investors.
—Glenn Thrush, New York Times, 21 Nov. 2023
In private companies, the board is also usually made up of the key shareholders, in other words, the literal owners of the firm.
—Lila MacLellan, Fortune, 21 Nov. 2023
Another of Silverman’s main theories — along with other creators suing AI firms – was that every output produced by AI models are infringing derivatives, with the companies benefiting from every answer initiated by third-party users allegedly constituting an act of vicarious infringement.
—Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Nov. 2023
Black Wolf Helicopters, the private search-and-rescue firm hired by the family to continue efforts on the ground, released Blazek’s name in a press release on Nov. 13, to encourage her to come forward, Nicky said.
—Kimmy Yam, NBC News, 21 Nov. 2023
As of the third quarter, 401(k) participants whose plan was managed by Fidelity Investments had a median balance of $23,800, according to recent data from the wealth management firm.
—Khristopher J. Brooks, CBS News, 21 Nov. 2023
The vessel is operated by a Japanese firm but has ties to Israeli businessman Abraham Ungar.
—Mike Brest, Washington Examiner, 20 Nov. 2023
Rich Greenfield, a partner and media analyst with research firm LightShed Partners, asked in an interview.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2023
See More
Adjective
Grossmont, however, came out in the third quarter and took a firm grip on the game, scoring on Aceves runs of 41 and 11 yards on back-to-back drives and tacking on two-point conversions on both touchdowns to lead 30-6 late in the third quarter and effectively turn the lights out on Buccaneers.
—Richard J. Marcus, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Nov. 2023
Boies’ tenure as chairman of Boies Schiller Flexner ends December 2024, a firm spokesperson said on Friday.
—David Thomas, Fortune, 17 Nov. 2023
Sugar combines with the corn syrup for a firmer cookie.
—Alyssa Sybertz, Southern Living, 16 Nov. 2023
Israel had hoped the raid would turn up firm evidence of substantial militant activity in al-Shifa, a European diplomat told The Post on Thursday.
—Sarah Dadouch, Washington Post, 16 Nov. 2023
The agreement did not include much in the way of firm targets, David Waskow, international climate director with the World Resources Institute, said in a statement.
—E&e News, Scientific American, 15 Nov. 2023
Find it on Amazon Maintain Your Skin’s Firmness With Targeted Products
Maintain youthful, firm skin with the Lemcuh Neck Firming Cream.
—Samantha Booth, Rolling Stone, 15 Nov. 2023
Bake crust until firm: For a crisp crust that won't get soggy, bake your crust until firm and set before adding the cheesecake filling.
—Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 3 Nov. 2023
Being both firm and flexible, all that cartilage makes a baby's bones much more malleable than an adult's.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 3 Nov. 2023
Adverb
Bezos hires firm to explore the possibility of NFL team bid Amazon founder Jeff Bezos hired a firm to research a possible bid for the NFL’s Washington Commanders, sources told the Washington Post.
—Alexandra Meeks, CNN, 24 Feb. 2023
The Fed plans to publish aggregate findings from the exercise but no firm-specific information.
—Reuters, NBC News, 29 Sep. 2022
The mandatory disclosure of more firm-specific information has also improved capital allocation across various industries.
—Diane Hoskins, Fortune, 26 May 2022
For more firm-looking and radiant skin, this professional-grade pair is tops.
—Megan McIntyre, Town & Country, 21 Sep. 2021
In addition to the CIO, oversight from a sustainability committee that ensures a firm-wide holistic approach and quality control is helpful.
—Robert G. Eccles, Forbes, 19 Sep. 2021
After graduating from Yale University in 1949 with a bachelor’s degree in architecture (later converted to a master’s degree according to Jack Jr.,) Bialosky Sr. founded the firm now known as Bialosky Cleveland.
—Steven Litt, cleveland, 17 Apr. 2020
Another prominent original occupant — the trust company occupied about half the building — was the Los Angeles law firm now known as O’Melveny & Myers.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2019
Two law firms, Marchena and Graham and the former Broad & Cassel law firm now known as Nelson Mullins received the bulk of the payments.
—Beth Kassab, orlandosentinel.com, 18 Sep. 2019
Verb
It's spiked with a skin-loving dup of moisturizing squalane and firming peptides to give your skin a dewier, suppler look.
—Anamaria Glavan, Allure, 19 Nov. 2023
Abrego was elected to the post on Thursday night by the org’s Board of Governors, as the TV Academy also firmed up its roster of officers and governors for the board’s 2024-2025 term.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 17 Nov. 2023
Refrigerating after adding the filling will firm up the cookies.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 10 Nov. 2023
With regular application, the eye gel effectively blurs the fine lines around our eyes while also firming and smoothing the skin altogether.
—Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 4 Nov. 2023
Many pros partially backfill around the rootball, stomp the soil down, and then continue to fill the hole, firming the soil again while making sure that the root flare remains visible.
—Tovah Martin, Washington Post, 27 Sep. 2023
The Ilia Bright Start Retinol Alternative Brightening Eye Cream also features caffeine along with peptides for firming benefits.
—Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 4 Nov. 2023
Let cookies firm up after removing them from the oven for a crunchy exterior and soft interior.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 30 Oct. 2023
For avid travelers, that might look like an ultra-hydrating moisturizer, antioxidant-rich serum, or a firming eye cream to counteract and brighten those pesky, puffy dark circles brought on by the end of Daylight Savings.
—Emily Belfiore, Travel + Leisure, 12 Sep. 2023
Noun
Although Zhao frequently tried to shrug off criticism of Binance on X, formerly Twitter, the investigation into the firm by the US Department of Justice was an open secret.
—Joel Khalili, WIRED, 22 Nov. 2023
In March, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission filed a civil suit against the firm and Mr. Zhao, accusing them of violating financial rules designed to protect U.S. investors.
—Glenn Thrush, New York Times, 21 Nov. 2023
In private companies, the board is also usually made up of the key shareholders, in other words, the literal owners of the firm.
—Lila MacLellan, Fortune, 21 Nov. 2023
Another of Silverman’s main theories — along with other creators suing AI firms – was that every output produced by AI models are infringing derivatives, with the companies benefiting from every answer initiated by third-party users allegedly constituting an act of vicarious infringement.
—Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Nov. 2023
Black Wolf Helicopters, the private search-and-rescue firm hired by the family to continue efforts on the ground, released Blazek’s name in a press release on Nov. 13, to encourage her to come forward, Nicky said.
—Kimmy Yam, NBC News, 21 Nov. 2023
As of the third quarter, 401(k) participants whose plan was managed by Fidelity Investments had a median balance of $23,800, according to recent data from the wealth management firm.
—Khristopher J. Brooks, CBS News, 21 Nov. 2023
The vessel is operated by a Japanese firm but has ties to Israeli businessman Abraham Ungar.
—Mike Brest, Washington Examiner, 20 Nov. 2023
Rich Greenfield, a partner and media analyst with research firm LightShed Partners, asked in an interview.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'firm.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Adjective, Adverb, and Verb
Middle English ferm, from Anglo-French, from Latin firmus; akin to Greek thronos chair, throne
Noun
German Firma, from Italian, signature, ultimately from Latin firmare to make firm, confirm, from firmus
First Known Use
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Adverb
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Noun
1744, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of firm was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing firm
Dictionary Entries Near firm
Cite this Entry
“Firm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/firm. Accessed 1 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
firm
1 of 4 adjective1
a
: solidly fixed in place
b
: not weak or uncertain : vigorous
c
: having a solid or compact texture
2
a
: not likely to be changed
a firm offer
b
: not easily moved or disturbed : steadfast
a firm believer
3
: indicating firmness or determination
firmly
adverb
firmness
noun
firm
2 of 4 adverb
: in a firm manner
stood firm
firm
3 of 4 verb1
a
: to make secure
firm your grip on the racket
b
: to make solid or compact
firm the soil
2
: to become firm
firm
4 of 4 noun
: a business organization
law firm
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English ferm "firm, secure," from early French ferm (same meaning), from Latin firmus "firm, secure, solid"
Noun
from German firma "the name or sign under which a company does business," from Italian firma "signature," derived from Latin firmare "to make firm, to approve, to sign," from firmus "firm, secure"
Legal Definition
firm
noun1
: the name or title under which a company transacts business
2
: a partnership of two or more persons that is not recognized as a legal person distinct from the members composing it
3
: a business unit or enterprise
Etymology
Noun
German Firma, from Italian, signature, ultimately from Latin firmare to make firm, confirm
More from Merriam-Webster on firm
Nglish: Translation of firm for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of firm for Arabic Speakers
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