/ fɜːm; NAmE fɜːrm/ noun , adjective , adverb , verb
■ noun
a business or company :
an engineering firm
a firm of accountants
■ adjective ( firm·er , firm·est )
1.
fairly hard; not easy to press into a different shape :
a firm bed / mattress
These peaches are still firm.
Bake the cakes until they are firm to the touch.
2.
not likely to change :
a firm believer in socialism
a firm agreement / date / decision / offer / promise
firm beliefs / conclusions / convictions / principles
She is a firm favourite with the children.
We have no firm evidence to support the case.
They remained firm friends .
3.
strongly fixed in place
SYN secure :
Stand the fish tank on a firm base.
No building can stand without firm foundations, and neither can a marriage.
4.
( of sb's voice or hand movements ) strong and steady :
'No,' she repeated, her voice firmer this time.
With a firm grip on my hand, he pulled me away.
Her handshake was cool and firm.
5.
( of sb's behaviour, position or understanding of sth ) strong and in control :
to exercise firm control / discipline / leadership
Parents must be firm with their children.
The company now has a firm footing in the marketplace.
This book will give your students a firm grasp of English grammar.
We need to keep a firm grip on the situation.
6.
[ usually before noun ] firm (against sth) ( of a country's money, etc. ) not lower than another :
The euro remained firm against the dollar, but fell against the yen.
—see also firmly
► firm·ness noun [ U ]
•
IDIOMS
- be on firm ground
- a firm hand
- take a firm line / stand (on / against sth)
■ adverb
•
IDIOMS
- hold firm (to sth)
- stand fast / firm
■ verb
1.
[ vn ] to make sth become stronger or harder :
Firm the soil around the plant.
This product claims to firm your body in six weeks.
2.
[ v ] ~ (to / at ... ) ( finance ) ( of shares, prices, etc. ) to become steady or rise steadily :
Rank's shares firmed 3p to 696p.
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- firm up
- firm up sth
••
WORD ORIGIN
adjective and adverb verb Middle English : from Old French ferme , from Latin firmus .
noun late 16th cent.: from Spanish and Italian firma , from medieval Latin , from Latin firmare fix, settle (in late Latin confirm by signature), from firmus firm; compare with farm . The word originally denoted one's autograph or signature; later (mid 18th cent.) the name under which the business of a firm was transacted, hence the firm itself (late 18th cent.).