FIRM


Meaning of FIRM in English

/ 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.).

Oxford Advanced Learner's English Dictionary.      Оксфордский английский словарь для изучающик язык на продвинутом уровне.