fix

verb

ˈfiks 

fixed; fixing; fixes

transitive verb

1

a

: to make something whole or able to work properly again : repair, mend

fixed the car

b

: to deal with, solve, or correct (a problem)

Your proposal won't fix anything.

c

: restore, cure

The doctor fixed him up.

d

: spay, castrate

had his dog fixed

2

a

: to make firm, stable, or stationary

We led out more rope and fixed it in place up steeper snow.

—Joe Tasker and 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.

3

a

: to hold or direct steadily

fixes his eyes on the horizon

b

: to capture the attention of

fixed her with a stare

c

: to direct in an unwavering manner

fixed his thoughts on the matter

She is fixing her hopes/sights on a career in music. [=she hopes/wants to have a career in music]

4

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

d

: to arrange the details of

My lawyer fixed it [= made arrangements] so I don't have to go to court.

5

: to set in order : adjust

… fixed his spectacles and read aloud …

—George Meredith

specifically : to make (hair, makeup, etc.) neat or attractive

fixing her lipstick

6

: to get ready : prepare

fix lunch

7

a

: to get even with

They thought they could cheat me, but I fixed them good.

You just wait! I'll fix you!

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

informal + chiefly Southern : to get set : be on the verge

We're fixing to leave soon.

3

a

: to direct one's attention, efforts, etc. : focus

—usually used with on or upon

All eyes fixed on them as they entered the room.

He fixed upon the idea of going back to school.

b

: decide, settle

—usually used with on or upon

had fixed on the first Saturday in June

fixable

ˈfik-sə-bəl 

adjective

Synonyms of fix

• put
• place
• situate
• locate
• position
• stick

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

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

The ladders across the Khumbu Icefall, which are carefully fixed by Sherpas to help climbers navigate the most treacherous section of the climb, had already been dismantled, according to one mountaineering company. —Helen Regan, CNN Money, 5 June 2026

Big problems that don’t get fixed quickly enough or at all, and Pratt represents the angry voter who wants to know why City Hall can’t do better and where all the money went. —Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026

Trump has spent considerable time discussing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool renovations of late, saying Obama failed to fix the landmark. —Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 4 June 2026

Also, is finding love or falling in love going to fix whatever else is wrong here? —Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 4 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

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 *d^heig^w- "pierce," whence also Lithuanian díegu, díegti "to sprout, break through"

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2a

Phrases Containing fix

• fix it
• fix one's eyes/gaze/stare on/upon
• fix one's eyes on
• fix one's hopes/sights on/upon
• fix on/upon
• fix (someone) with
• fix up
• get a fix on
• if it ain't broke, don't fix it
• quick fix
• the fix is in
• the fix was in

Rhymes for fix

• bricks
• brix
• chicks
• clicks
• cliques
• dicks
• flicks
• kicks
• knicks
• licks
• mix
• nicks

Kids Definition

fix

1 of 2 verb

ˈfiks 

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

d

: affix entry 1 sense 1, attach

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

: repair entry 2 sense 1

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

ˈfik-sə-bəl 

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

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

ˈfiks 

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

b

: spay, castrate sense 1

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 cases

—W. R. LaFave and A. W. Scott, Jr.

fix noun

fixer noun