FIRM


Meaning of FIRM in English

(~s, ~er, ~est)

Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.

1.

A ~ is an organization which sells or produces something or which provides a service which people pay for.

The ~’s employees were expecting large bonuses.

...a ~ of heating engineers.

= company

N-COUNT

2.

If something is ~, it does not change much in shape when it is pressed but is not completely hard.

Fruit should be ~ and in excellent condition...

Choose a soft, medium or ~ mattress to suit their individual needs.

? soft

ADJ

3.

If something is ~, it does not shake or move when you put weight or pressure on it, because it is strongly made or securely fastened.

If you have to climb up, use a ~ platform or a sturdy ladder.

= secure

ADJ

~ly

The front door is locked and all the windows are ~ly shut.

ADV: ADV -ed, ADV after v

4.

If someone’s grip is ~ or if they perform a physical action in a ~ way, they do it with quite a lot of force or pressure but also in a controlled way.

The quick handshake was ~ and cool...

He managed to grasp the metal, get a ~ grip of it and heave his body upwards.

= strong

ADJ

~ly

She held me ~ly by the elbow and led me to my aisle seat.

ADV: ADV after v

5.

If you describe someone as ~, you mean they behave in a way that shows that they are not going to change their mind, or that they are the person who is in control.

She had to be ~ with him. ‘I don’t want to see you again.’...

Perhaps they need the guiding hand of a ~ father figure.

ADJ: oft ADJ with n

~ly

‘A good night’s sleep is what you want,’ he said ~ly.

ADV: ADV with v

6.

A ~ decision or opinion is definite and unlikely to change.

He made a ~ decision to leave Fort Multry by boat...

It is my ~ belief that an effective partnership approach between police and the public is absolutely necessary.

= definite

ADJ: usu ADJ n

~ly

He is ~ly convinced that it is vital to do this.

= strongly

ADV: ADV -ed, ADV after v

7.

Firm evidence or information is based on facts and so is likely to be true.

There’s unlikely to be ~ news about the convoy’s progress for some time.

= hard, definite

ADJ: ADJ n

8.

You use ~ to describe control or a basis or position when it is strong and unlikely to be ended or removed.

Although the Yakutians are a minority, they have ~ control of the territory...

= secure

ADJ: usu ADJ n

~ly

This tradition is also ~ly rooted in the past...

= securely

ADV: ADV -ed, ADV after v

9.

If a price, value, or currency is ~, it is not decreasing in value or amount.

Cotton prices remain ~ and demand is strong...

The shares held ~ at 280p...

= steady

ADJ

~ness

...the ~ness of the dollar against other currencies.

N-UNCOUNT: usu N of n

10.

If someone stands ~, they refuse to change their mind about something.

The council is standing ~ against the barrage of protest...

PHRASE: V inflects

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