firm

adjective

\ ˈfərm

Definition of firm

(Entry 1 of 4)

1a : 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

2a(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

firm

adverb

Definition of firm (Entry 2 of 4)

: in a firm manner : steadfastly, fixedly

firm

verb

firmed; firming; firms

Definition of firm (Entry 3 of 4)

transitive verb

1a : 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

intransitive verb

1 : to become firm : harden —often used with up

2 : to recover from a decline : improve the market is firming

firm

noun

Definition of firm (Entry 4 of 4)

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

Other Words from firm Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about firm

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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

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Or Markle and Prince Harry could stay firm in their decision. — Christopher Rosa, Glamour, "Here's Why Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Decided to Name Their Son Archie," 8 May 2019 Wedding countdown: Booking a regular facial is always a good idea, but getting at least one a month leading up to the wedding will leave your skin looking firmer and brighter. — Harper's Bazaar Staff, Harper's BAZAAR, "17 Over-the-Top Beauty Treatments to Try Before Your Wedding Day," 13 Dec. 2018 While the unstoppable pumpkin spice latte is Starbucks’s most popular drink of all time, get this: according to analytics firm Second Measure, December is by far the company’s most profitable month. — Elise Taylor, Vogue, "I Taste Tested the New Starbucks Juniper Latte So You Don’t Have To," 27 Nov. 2018 And that finding is bolstered by a recent survey of 393 businesses from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the audit firm RSM, which found that only 38 percent of those firms plan to increase investment over the next three years. — Eric Levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "Corporations Invested Their Tax Cuts Into Stock Buybacks That Didn’t Even Work," 9 July 2018 Can the new House of Representatives stand firm against President Donald Trump’s administration, his border wall, and his policies that harm so many? — Lucy Diavolo, Teen Vogue, "The Bad Girls' Caucus Has Been Sworn In and Congress May Never Be the Same," 3 Jan. 2019 As Recode’s Jason Del Rey points out, Walker & Company will benefit from Procter & Gamble’s massive research and development ($1.9 billion) and advertising ($7 billion) budgets, as well as its firmer positioning in global supply chains. — Kaitlyn Tiffany, Vox, "Gillette owner Procter & Gamble is acquiring one of its razor startup competitors," 12 Dec. 2018 Politicians on both sides of the Atlantic criticized Facebook on Sunday after a former employee of data firm Cambridge Analytica went public with claims that the company had harvested information from 50 million users of the social network. — Samuel Chamberlain, Fox News, "Lawmakers demand answers from Facebook after claim that analytics firm snatched user data for Trump campaign," 2 Oct. 2018 Industry monitoring firm New Frontier Data believes that by 2020, sales will rival California’s $7 billion wine industry, and prices for scarce square footage have already skyrocketed. — Patrick Sisson, Curbed, "Cannabis, coworking, and the marijuana-industry land rush," 24 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb

Congratulations to Robyn Denholm, the new chairwoman of Tesla’s board! Denholm got her start at the now-defunct Arthur Andersen, the accounting firm best known for its work shredding Enron’s documents. — Elizabeth Lopatto, The Verge, "Tesla’s new chairwoman is walking into SEC and DOJ probes," 9 Nov. 2018 Invesco will pay for the deal with 81.9 million common shares and another $4 billion in preferred shares, making MassMutual the firm’s largest stockholder. — Justin Baer, WSJ, "Invesco to Buy OppenheimerFunds From MassMutual," 18 Oct. 2018 One of that firm’s biggest clients is a company helmed by Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg. — Matt Richardson, Fox News, "Michael Cohen-linked firm received big payments from Russian oligarch, report says," 9 May 2018 One of that firm’s biggest clients is a company helmed by Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg. — Matt Richardson, Fox News, "Michael Cohen-linked firm received big payments from Russian oligarch, report says," 9 May 2018 One of that firm’s biggest clients is a company helmed by Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg. — Matt Richardson, Fox News, "Michael Cohen-linked firm received big payments from Russian oligarch, report says," 9 May 2018 As part of the deal, Sammons became the firm’s largest shareholder. — Justin Baer And Margot Patrick, WSJ, "Guggenheim in Talks to Buy Munich Re Asset-Management Operations," 20 June 2018 One of that firm’s biggest clients is a company helmed by Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg. — Matt Richardson, Fox News, "Michael Cohen-linked firm received big payments from Russian oligarch, report says," 9 May 2018 One of that firm’s biggest clients is a company helmed by Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg. — Matt Richardson, Fox News, "Michael Cohen-linked firm received big payments from Russian oligarch, report says," 9 May 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Water well, pour 1 to 2 cups of compost around each plant, and firm the soil gently. — The Editors, Good Housekeeping, "The Secret to Growing the Most Flavorful Eggplants," 27 July 2018 While the research is mixed, oral and topical forms claim to protect skin-cell membranes from free-radical damage, while firming, smoothing and brightening the complexion. — Allure, "The Skin-Care Glossary: A Comprehensive Guide to Everything You Need to Know," 17 Aug. 2018 The inflation measure has shown signs of firming in recent months, with consumer prices rising 2.9% in June from a year earlier. — Sarah Chaney, WSJ, "U.S. Producer Prices Tame in July," 9 Aug. 2018 The antioxidant niacinamide helps repair barrier function and fosters a healthy glow, while a pair of active peptides works on toning and firming the skin. — Molly Creeden, Vogue, "This New Sex Positive Body Care Line Will Revolutionize Your Bathroom—And Your Bedroom," 15 Nov. 2018 Recently cleared by the FDA, this device can lift and firm breasts without leaving any scars. — Jolene Edgar, Harper's BAZAAR, "Everything You Need To Know About The Non-Surgical Breast Lift," 17 Aug. 2018 Let the cobbler cool for about 30 minutes to firm up. — Rebekah Denn, The Seattle Times, "Food52.com writer Kristen Miglore’s book ‘Genius Desserts’ includes several sweet Seattle specialties," 27 Nov. 2018 The Helsinki summit was firmed up less than three weeks ago. — Gregory Korte, USA TODAY, "Trump's chaotic NATO summit raises stakes for Putin talks in Helsinki," 12 July 2018 Steering can be firmed up from comfort, to normal, to sport. — Robert Duffer, chicagotribune.com, "Tesla Model 3 just may be worth the wait," 19 Apr. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Law-enforcement officials had sought to charge Douglas McWilliams, a partner at Houston law firm Vinson & Elkins LLP, with a felony following the May 10, 2018, crash on Lake Travis. ... — Ryan Dezember, WSJ, "Felony Charge Against Oil-Deal Lawyer Dismissed," 9 May 2019 Koskoff Koskoff & Bieder, the law firm representing these six clients and their cases, states that the 2011 design of these cans is the reason for the safety issues and explosions. — Elizabeth Gulino, House Beautiful, "PSA: Cans of Pam Cooking Spray Have Been Exploding, Creating Massive Fireballs," 7 May 2019 For firm and fluffy eggs, go for higher and quicker. — Audrey Bruno, SELF, "6 Tips to Make Perfect Scrambled Eggs," 3 May 2019 His law-firm partner, James Perkins, is representing Alki Farms and Crusher Weed. — The Yakima Herald-republic, The Seattle Times, "Uprooting cannabis: Officials stepping up enforcement of ban on recreational marijuana businesses," 13 Apr. 2019 The New York Times uncovered discrimination allegations at other progressive and feminist-leaning organizations as well, including Mehri & Skalet, a law firm that, ironically, is suing Walmart for pregnancy discrimination. — Anna North, Vox, "Planned Parenthood is facing criticism for its treatment of pregnant workers," 21 Dec. 2018 So this top law firm in the Philippines gave us significant discounts. — Eric Johnson, Recode, "Memo from a ‘Facebook nation’ to Mark Zuckerberg: You moved fast and broke our country.," 26 Nov. 2018 For the second time in recent months, a unit of Goldman Sachs has acquired a stake in a venture firm. — Yuliya Chernova, WSJ, "Goldman Sachs Bets Again on VC With Stake in Industry Ventures Management Company," 17 Apr. 2019 Danish architect Bjarke Ingels—founder and creative partner of his eponymous firm, BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group)—is well known for projects that defy convention. — Samantha Swenson, ELLE Decor, "Is Oceanix City by Bjarke Ingels the Real-Life Lost Continent of Atlantis?," 12 Apr. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'firm.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.