firm

adjective

Save Word

\ 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 Phrases Containing firm Learn More About firm

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: Adjective James, 35, is also a firm believer in the benefits of being around pets — particularly, dogs. — Phil Boucher, PEOPLE.com, 9 May 2022 But Mustaf is a firm believer that change happens from the inside. — Rashna Farrukh, refinery29.com, 4 May 2022 Oliver is a firm believer of the power of getting out on the road. — Julia Buckley, CNN, 13 Apr. 2022 The panel wants to talk to Mrs. Thomas about her texts to Mr. Trump’s then-chief of staff, Mark Meadows, urging him to stand firm in pressing to overturn President Biden’s 2020 election victory. — Lindsay Wise, WSJ, 29 Mar. 2022 Government officials like Fauci and FDA vaccine regulator Peter Marks stand firm in the face of political pressure, while ordinary citizens reach out to struggling members of their own communities or volunteer to participate in vaccine trials. — Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Mar. 2022 Price hikes also are attributed to efforts by OPEC+, a cartel of oil-producing countries, to limit output and stand firm against appeals for boosting production. — Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 1 Mar. 2022 Trudeau continued to stand firm against lifting vaccine mandates, including a requirement that all truck drivers entering the country be fully vaccinated. — Rob Gillies And Tom Krisher, Chron, 11 Feb. 2022 Trudeau continues to stand firm against lifting vaccine mandates. — Rob Gillies, chicagotribune.com, 11 Feb. 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb 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 Morse is one of Michigan's most visible attorneys with TV spots and billboard ads that call his personal injury law firm the largest in the state. — Jc Reindl, Detroit Free Press, 3 July 2019 Big-name attorney Morse is one of Michigan's most visible attorneys with TV spots and billboard ads that call his personal injury law firm the largest in the state. — Jc Reindl, Detroit Free Press, 19 June 2019 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, 9 Nov. 2018 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb As its name suggests, the +Retinol Vitamin C Moisturizer combines the effects of these active ingredients to firm, brighten, and smooth skin overnight. — Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 26 Apr. 2022 Maggie and Gary firm up their relationship; Regina’s new business gets buoyed by her estranged parents who reconcile for their daughter. — Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2022 Cabinet spokesman Ramesh Pathirana said the government would firm up plans on IMF assistance in the next few weeks as the finance minister prepares to visit Washington in mid-April for the discussions. — NBC News, 16 Mar. 2022 The recent trade secrets spat between SK Innovation and LG along with the chip supply shortages are pushing Ford and others to firm up their plans sooner than originally expected but the industry was going to move in this direction anyway. — Sam Abuelsamid, Forbes, 27 Apr. 2021 Soothe, brighten, and firm your skin with this medical-grade sheet mask from advanced skincare brand 111SKIN. — Grooming Playbook, The Salt Lake Tribune, 10 Apr. 2022 Some first-impression sitters also noted how strong and firm the back of the chair feels. — Sarah Toscano, EW.com, 3 Feb. 2022 If hair is longer, start the process on dry hair and firm the pomade with a hard-hold lacquer hair spray. — Fiorella Valdesolo, WSJ, 5 Jan. 2022 This anti-aging eye mask features 80 LEDs to stimulate collagen production, improve skin density, smooth fine lines wrinkles and texture and visibly firm the skin, according to the skincare brand's website. — Hanna Flanagan, PEOPLE.com, 22 Sep. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Perhaps nothing symbolizes the company’s rise better than the flashy sign that sits atop Whoop’s future headquarters in Kenmore Square, which the firm will move into early next year. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 16 May 2022 Through the campaign’s final weekend, almost $55 million had been spent on advertising on the Republican side of the Pennsylvania primary, while about $12 million was spent on the Democratic side, data from the ad-tracking firm AdImpact show. — John Mccormick, WSJ, 16 May 2022 On April 28, a new television ad from a pro-Cuellar group began making exactly that case, exclusively in the Harlingen and Laredo media markets, at a cost of roughly $150,000, according to AdImpact, the ad-tracking firm. — New York Times, 16 May 2022 The firm has helped numerous Democratic politicians, including Joe Biden, Barack Obama, and Andrew Cuomo, as well as organizations including Planned Parenthood. — Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 16 May 2022 Blankfein’s comments were broadcast the same day as the firm’s economists cut their U.S. growth forecasts for this year and next to reflect the recent shake-out in financial markets. — Fortune, 15 May 2022 Cooper decided on Thursday that Fusion GPS, the information firm that provided opposition-research on Donald Trump for the 2016 Hillary Clinton campaign, must surrender many of the emails Fusion has been withholding from Durham. — Andrew C. Mccarthy, National Review, 14 May 2022 The firm was directly inspired by the smartphone leader, Apple. — Zenger News, Forbes, 14 May 2022 According to data from the research firm, the Nasdaq has plummeted more than 20% in the past 30 trading days. — Julia Horowitz, CNN, 13 May 2022 See More

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.