fix

1 of 2

verb

ˈfiks 

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 aloud

—George 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

ˈfik-sə-bəl 

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

: fixation

6

: something that fixes or restores : solution

an easy fix

Synonyms

Verb

• depose
• deposit
• dispose
• emplace
• lay
• place
• position
• put
• set
• set up
• situate
• stick

Noun

• bind
• box
• catch-22
• corner
• dilemma
• hole
• impasse
• jackpot [chiefly West]
• jam
• mire
• pickle
• predicament
• quagmire
• rabbit hole
• rattrap
• spot
• sticky wicket
• swamp

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

Of the 11 goals the Galaxy have allowed this season, five have come off corners — another weakness the team will have to fix. —Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2024

Yet the conditions and obstacles to fixing the country’s immigration system are familiar: a reliance on third parties, particularly Congress and foreign governments, to agree to coordinate a response. —Michael Wilner, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2024

Then, by the time their car tags are about to expire, their personal property accounts are out of date and must be fixed in person by county assessors. —Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2024

Our work requires us to listen to all sorts of people, vet information, investigate and shine light on problems so our community can decide if something needs fixing or changing. —Patrick Wilson, Charlotte Observer, 8 Apr. 2024

An eighty-six-inch digital interactive panel, fixed to an easel, displayed a satellite image of Tabaivka. —Luke Mogelson, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024

In about half of cases, the problem fixes itself, but permanent damage can sometimes occur. —Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 8 Apr. 2024

Investigators also believe when guns malfunctioned in Mexico, the cartel paid Pierson to fix them. —Beth Warren, USA TODAY, 6 Apr. 2024

Much of the city’s budget is fairly fixed from one year to the next. —Barbara Henry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2024

Noun

So, while the Panthers need another top-notch wide receiver, the depth of the draft class implies that cornerback should be a more urgent fix. —Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2024

Boeing withdrew the request following her letter to the FAA and pledged not to seek certification of either airliner until a fix was developed. —Kris Van Cleave, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2024

There are easy-to-follow instructions online for most homeowners to do the fixes themselves, but always feel free to call a professional if plumbing is outside your comfort zone. —Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Apr. 2024

Engineers determined most of the columns had minor cracking that could be fixed in months, although the structures near Skytrain’s Station 1, outside American’s Admirals Club frequent-flyer lounge, require lengthier fixes. —Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2024

Customer support teams need to be able to share fixes across their customer base in a way that doesn't unintentionally divulge private or proprietary information. —Lou Senko, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024

Then, the nature of the security fixes in the update, discussed here by fellow Forbes contributor Kate O’Flaherty, came later than usual. —David Phelan, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024

Some 65 members of Congress from both parties have come together to propose a common-sense fix. —Howard Dean, Fortune, 28 Mar. 2024

Though the teams involved in the great World Series fix of 1919 were from Chicago and Cincinnati, the scheme was, in essence, a local game, too, rooted in New York gangsterism—in particular, in Arnold Rothstein’s gambling empire. —Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024

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 *d^heig^w- "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

Phrases Containing fix

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

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

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

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