firm

1 of 4

adjective

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

firm

2 of 4

adverb

: in a firm manner : steadfastly, fixedly

firm

3 of 4

verb

firmed; firming; firms

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

1
: to become firm : harden
often used with up
2
: to recover from a decline : improve
the market is firming

firm

4 of 4

noun

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

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
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

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.

Kids Definition

firm

1 of 4 adjective
1
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 verb
1
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

noun
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
Etymology

Noun

German Firma, from Italian, signature, ultimately from Latin firmare to make firm, confirm

More from Merriam-Webster on firm

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