fix

1 of 2

verb

fixed; fixing; fixes

transitive verb

1
a
: to make firm, stable, or stationary
We led out more rope and fixed it in place up steeper snow.Joe Tasker & Peter Boardman
b
: to give a permanent or final form to: such as
(1)
: to change into a stable compound or available form
bacteria that fix nitrogen
(2)
: to kill, harden, and preserve for microscopic study
(3)
: to make the image of (a photographic film) permanent by removing unused salts
c
: affix, attach
The tables on the ship were fixed to the floor.
2
a
: to hold or direct steadily
fixes his eyes on the horizon
b
: to capture the attention of
fixed her with a stare
3
a
: to set or place definitely : establish
fixed the date of their wedding
b
: to make an accurate determination of : discover
fixing our location on the chart
c
: assign
fix the blame
4
: to set in order : adjust
fixed his spectacles and read aloudGeorge Meredith
5
: to get ready : prepare
fix lunch
6
a
: repair, mend
fix the clock
b
: restore, cure
the doctor fixed him up
c
: spay, castrate
had his dog fixed
7
a
: to get even with
They thought they could cheat me, but I fixed them good.
b
: to influence the actions, outcome, or effect of by improper or illegal methods
the race had been fixed

intransitive verb

1
: to become firm, stable, or fixed
2
: to get set : be on the verge
we're fixing to leave soon
3
: to direct one's attention or efforts : focus
also : decide, settle
usually used with on
had fixed on the first Saturday in June
All eyes fixed on her as she entered the room.
fixable adjective

fix

2 of 2

noun

1
: a position of difficulty or embarrassment : predicament
2
a
: the position (as of a ship) determined by bearings, observations, or radio
also : a determination of one's position
b
: an accurate determination or understanding especially by observation or analysis
3
: an act or instance of improper or illegal fixing
the fix was in
4
: a supply or dose of something strongly desired or craved
a coffee fix
especially : a shot of a narcotic
5
6
: something that fixes or restores : solution
an easy fix
Choose the Right Synonym for fix

fasten, fix, attach, affix mean to make something stay firmly in place.

fasten implies an action such as tying, buttoning, nailing, locking, or otherwise securing.

fasten the reins to a post

fix usually implies a driving in, implanting, or embedding.

fixed the stake in the ground

attach suggests a connecting or uniting by a bond, link, or tie in order to keep things together.

attach the W-2 form here

affix implies an imposing of one thing on another by gluing, impressing, or nailing.

affix your address label here

Examples of fix in a Sentence

Verb He fixed the fence last weekend. I need to fix this dent in my car. People expect the schools to fix whatever is wrong with their kids. All tables on the ship will be fixed to the floor. The table was fixed firmly to the floor. The scarf was fixed in place with a pin. They haven't yet fixed the date of their wedding. They fixed the price at $10. Investigators are still attempting to fix the exact time of the accident. Noun There's no easy fix to this problem. The result was unexpected, and some people suspect a fix.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Boeing is under intense scrutiny by the Federal Aviation Administration to fix problems in its manufacturing system, particularly since a panel blew off an Alaska Airlines Max 9 in midflight in January. David Koenig, Quartz, 4 Mar. 2024 The sense of urgency in this city to win has pushed our organization, has fueled it to take chances, fix problems and work tirelessly in an effort to win. Brendan Le, Peoplemag, 4 Mar. 2024 Now even 89 million dollars can’t fix her mistakes. Kate Dwyer, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2024 Questions immediately started to swirl in the higher ed community, and in Washington, about whether the department was overstepping its authority to fix the error, or whether Congress had to pass a new law. Zachary Schermele, USA TODAY, 2 Mar. 2024 Some ask if the broken rungs on the corporate ladder can be fixed. Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024 At a Proposition 1 campaign event in San Diego on Thursday, Newsom described the measure as an opportunity to fix mistakes of the past. Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2024 But can the problem be fixed with something as simple as a glass of water? Jani Hall, Health, 21 Feb. 2024 The company said a separate third-party partner caused the problem, but that issue has already been fixed. Heather Kelly, Washington Post, 20 Feb. 2024
Noun
With the Hollywood writers strike and Kevin Costner's exit from the show, there have been valid reasons for the delay, but the fact remains: Yellowstone fans will have to until later this year to get their Dutton family fix. Emily Blackwood, Peoplemag, 2 Mar. 2024 The Southgate location will remain open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. through Sunday, leaving metro Detroiters forced to go elsewhere for their fix of Chicago-style pizza. Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press, 1 Mar. 2024 The legislative fix wouldn't allow clerks to count the ballots early. Journal Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2024 The belief that inflation’s fix is a function of putting people out of work is accepted wisdom in the economics profession, along with a pundit profession that enables the routine abuse of reason. John Tamny, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024 While some may return with new Joker DLC next month, the current tech issues have made a bad situation much worse, and communication on this front has not placated fans waiting for a fix. Paul Tassi, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024 In politics there are rarely easy fixes, only different tradeoffs. Elizabeth N. Saunders, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024 Microsoft has now quietly issued a fix in the latest Microsoft Edge update. Tom Warren, The Verge, 16 Feb. 2024 The report suggested several fixes to address discrimination in health care, including training medical staff to spot discrimination and requiring nursing, medical and other health schools to require classes about discrimination. Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fix.' 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

Verb

Middle English fixen, derivative of fix "firmly placed," borrowed from Latin fīxus "firmly established, unchangeable," for earlier fīctus, past participle of fīgere "to drive in, insert, fasten," going back to Indo-European *dheigw- "pierce," whence also Lithuanian díegu, díegti "to sprout, break through"

Noun

derivative of fix entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1809, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fix was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near fix

Cite this Entry

“Fix.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fix. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

fix

1 of 2 verb
1
a
: to make firm, stable, or fast
b
: to give a permanent or final form to
c
: to change into a stable or useful form
bacteria that fix nitrogen
2
: to hold or direct steadily
fixed his eyes on the stage
3
: to set or place definitely : establish
fix the date of a meeting
4
: to get ready : prepare
fix dinner
5
6
a
: to get even with
b
: to influence the outcome of (as a sports contest) dishonestly
7
: to get set : be on the verge
we're fixing to go
fixable adjective

fix

2 of 2 noun
1
: a position of difficulty or embarrassment : predicament
2
: the position (as of a ship) decided upon by calculations and compass, observations, or radio
also : a deciding upon of one's position
3
a
: an act of bribery or fraud
b
: a sports contest whose outcome has been arranged in advance
4
: a dose of something strongly desired or craved
a chocolate fix
especially : a shot of a narcotic
Etymology

Verb

Middle English fixen "to fix, make firm," from Latin fixus, past participle of figere "to fasten, fix" — related to crucifix, crucify

Medical Definition

fix

1 of 2 transitive verb
1
a
: to make firm, stable, or stationary
b
: to give a permanent or final form to: as
(1)
: to change into a stable compound or available form
bacteria that fix nitrogen
(2)
: to kill, harden, and preserve for microscopic study
2
: to hold or direct steadily
fixes her eyes on the horizon
3
a
: restore, cure
the doctor fixed him up

intransitive verb

: to direct the gaze or attention : focus, fixate
often used with on or upon

fix

2 of 2 noun
: a shot of a narcotic

Legal Definition

fix

transitive verb
1
a
: to make firm, stable, or stationary
b
: to attach physically
2
: to influence the actions, outcome, or effect of by improper or illegal methods
conspiracy to defraud the government by fixing income tax casesW. R. LaFave and A. W. Scott, Jr.
fix noun
fixer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on fix

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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