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

The first hint of trouble came when Atlantic Awning wouldn’t commit to a firm delivery date. — Sean P. Murphy, BostonGlobe.com, "Owner of Gloucester rental property is seeing red over awning dispute," 24 June 2019 Another Part of the Forest is located at 1333 Main St. There is no firm opening date set as renovations come to a conclusion, but Stepp plans on being open this month. — Chris Varias, Cincinnati.com, "Old OTR record store gets new life ... Oh, and hemp products," 13 June 2019 There’s no firm date for the day the showroom closes at Dixie Store Fixtures. — William Thornton | Wthornton@al.com, al.com, "Dixie Store Fixtures winding down business, just shy of a century," 12 June 2019 And direct-view quantum-dot LED TVs don’t have a firm release date either though there are rumors of an introduction in the second half of 2020. — Joe Lindsey, Popular Mechanics, "OLED or QLED: Which TV Is Right for You?," 4 June 2019 Microsoft hasn’t announced a firm release date for October 2018 Update. — Brad Chacos, PCWorld, "Nvidia's GeForce RTX 2070 launches on October 17. Will ray traced games be ready?," 25 Sep. 2018 Resolving the legal cases will allow talks with creditors to begin as the company starts to draft its long-term business plan, although any restructuring deal would still require a firm restart date, the people said. — Paula Sambo, Bloomberg.com, "Samarco Is Close to a Settlement With Brazil Prosecutors," 14 June 2018 Mississippi has stood firm in its provision of a robust network of inpatient services for the mentally ill, much to the dismay of the Department of Justice. — John Hirschauer, National Review, "Mississippi’s Mental-Illness Policies Are Working. DOJ Is Challenging Them.," 17 June 2019 Raw, a tomatillo is firm and somewhat acidic, with a bright, floral and almost citrusy flavor. — James P. Dewan, chicagotribune.com, "4 easy dishes to make with tomatillos, plus a trick for getting those sticky husks off," 17 June 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb

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, "Claim: My husband helped attorney Mike Morse hide MRI center money," 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, "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

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Mazda’s chassis department dialed in a lot of intention to the steering response—a nice, darty feel at initial turn in, with the chassis firming up quickly with cornering load. — WSJ, "Is the Mazda3 Hatchback The Best Car of 2019?," 14 June 2019 According to the brand, this lotion is proven to tighten and firm the skin in just two weeks. — Maya Allen, Marie Claire, "I Tried Meghan Markle’s Favorite Beauty Products—Here’s What’s Worth Your Money," 24 May 2019 Jade rollers are said to do everything from sculpting, toning, and firming skin to boosting circulation, enhancing glow, reducing puffiness, minimizing fine lines, improving elasticity, detoxifying, and helping skincare products penetrate better. — April Franzino, Good Housekeeping, "Do Jade Rollers Actually Work? Here's the Truth," 20 May 2019 Like other Foreo skincare devices, the Luna 3 pairs with the app to offer personalized settings, as well as a variety of firming face massage routines. — Susan Brickell, Health.com, "This Exfoliating Device Is Chrissy Teigen’s Secret to Glowing Skin," 12 June 2019 The heated — yet friendly — debate has helped firm up the idea that most tickled Hawking’s fancy. — Quanta Magazine, "Physicists Debate Hawking’s Idea That the Universe Had No Beginning," 6 June 2019 After a few minutes in the oven, the heat will also cause the proteins to set (coagulate) and firm up, after which the souffle won’t expand any more. — Martha Holmberg, Twin Cities, "The secret to a light, airy, textbook souffle? Stop trying so hard.," 5 June 2019 After a few minutes in the oven, the heat will also cause the proteins to set (coagulate) and firm up, after which the souffle won’t expand any more. — Martha Holmberg, The Denver Post, "The secret to a light, airy, textbook souffle? Stop trying so hard.," 5 June 2019 La Prairie’s Skin Caviar Luxe Cream has been a bestseller since the late ’90s, thanks to firming and free radical–fighting marine extracts, but the brand’s new incarnation has been updated with cutting-edge technology for extra support this season. — Jenna Rennert, Vogue, "10 Face Creams to Combat Winter Skin Before It Starts," 13 Oct. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Davis Polk of the District appointed Fiona Moran partner in the firm’s litigation department and white collar criminal defense and government investigations group. — Washington Post, "Washington-area appointments and promotions for July 8," 8 July 2019 Each firm has to make its own decision about which path to choose. — Anchorage Daily News, "Why NBC’s takeback of ‘The Office’ could be the beginning of consumer chaos," 7 July 2019 After nine months and extensive public input, the landscape architecture firm of Hargreaves Associates unveiled recommendations last Sunday. — Steven Litt, cleveland.com, "Shaker Square plan offers bold solutions, but real work has only begun — Steven Litt," 7 July 2019 Yoni Torgow is chairman of the Sterling Group, according to the firm's website. — Jc Reindl, Detroit Free Press, "Chemical Bank chairman's grown kids get development, landlord deal," 6 July 2019 The acquisition is set to make Aramco the world’s biggest downstream producer of refined products and chemicals, as well as the biggest upstream firm. — The Economist, "The world’s biggest potential IPO may be on again," 6 July 2019 The firm was looking for a fresh start, which appealed to her. — Amy Lindgren, Twin Cities, "Working Strategies: Three ways job seekers hold themselves back," 6 July 2019 The firm also has offices in Austin and San Antonio. — Katherine Feser, Houston Chronicle, "Deal of the week: NAI Partners moving up to new Galleria area office tower," 5 July 2019 The RK Group catering firm is providing food onsite as a subcontractor, BCFS confirmed. — Brian Chasnoff, ExpressNews.com, "A San Antonio nonprofit and a local caterer are hired for new migrant children’s shelter," 5 July 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.