firm
♦♦♦ firm /f'ɜːrm/ (firms firmer firmest)
1 [N-COUNT]
A firm is an organization which sells or produces something or which provides a service which people pay for.
The firm's employees were expecting large bonuses.
...a firm of heating engineers.
= company
2 [ADJ]
If something is firm, it does not change much in shape when it is pressed but is not completely hard.
Fruit should be firm and in excellent condition...
Choose a soft, medium or firm mattress to suit their individual needs.
≠ soft
3 [ADJ]
If something is firm, 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 firm platform or a sturdy ladder.
= secure
● firmly [ADV] ADV -ed, ADV after v
The front door is locked and all the windows are firmly shut.
4 [ADJ]
If someone's grip is firm or if they perform a physical action in a firm way, they do it with quite a lot of force or pressure but also in a controlled way.
The quick handshake was firm and cool...
He managed to grasp the metal, get a firm grip of it and heave his body upwards.
= strong
● firmly [ADV] ADV after v
She held me firmly by the elbow and led me to my aisle seat.
5 [ADJ] oft ADJ with n
If you describe someone as firm, 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 firm with him. `I don't want to see you again.'...
Perhaps they need the guiding hand of a firm father figure.
● firmly [ADV] ADV with v
`A good night's sleep is what you want,' he said firmly.
6 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
A firm decision or opinion is definite and unlikely to change.
He made a firm decision to leave Fort Multry by boat...
It is my firm belief that an effective partnership approach between police and the public is absolutely necessary.
= definite
● firmly [ADV] ADV -ed, ADV after v
He is firmly convinced that it is vital to do this.
= strongly
7 [ADJ] ADJ n
Firm evidence or information is based on facts and so is likely to be true.
There's unlikely to be firm news about the convoy's progress for some time.
= hard, definite
8 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
You use firm 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 firm control of the territory...
= secure
● firmly [ADV] ADV -ed, ADV after v
This tradition is also firmly rooted in the past...
= securely
9 [ADJ]
If a price, value, or currency is firm, it is not decreasing in value or amount.
Cotton prices remain firm and demand is strong...
The shares held firm at 280p...
= steady
● firmness [N-UNCOUNT] usu N of n
...the firmness of the dollar against other currencies.
10 [PHRASE] V inflects
If someone stands firm, they refuse to change their mind about something.
The council is standing firm against the barrage of protest...firm up
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P, V P
If you firm up something or if it firms up, it becomes firmer and more solid.
This treatment helps tone the body, firm up muscles and tighten the skin...
I now go swimming five times a week, which helps firm me up...
The mixture will seem too wet at this stage, but it will firm up when chilled.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V P, also V n P
If you firm something up or if it firms up, it becomes clearer, stronger, or more definite.
Looking to the future, the Government will firm up their plans for a cleaner, greener, safer Britain...
At least the bank situation had firmed up.
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron)
If a financial institution firms up the price or value of something, they take action to protect and maintain its price or value.
OPEC has agreed to freeze its global oil production slightly in order to firm up crude prices.
1 [N-COUNT]
A firm is an organization which sells or produces something or which provides a service which people pay for.
The firm's employees were expecting large bonuses.
...a firm of heating engineers.
= company
2 [ADJ]
If something is firm, it does not change much in shape when it is pressed but is not completely hard.
Fruit should be firm and in excellent condition...
Choose a soft, medium or firm mattress to suit their individual needs.
≠ soft
3 [ADJ]
If something is firm, 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 firm platform or a sturdy ladder.
= secure
● firmly [ADV] ADV -ed, ADV after v
The front door is locked and all the windows are firmly shut.
4 [ADJ]
If someone's grip is firm or if they perform a physical action in a firm way, they do it with quite a lot of force or pressure but also in a controlled way.
The quick handshake was firm and cool...
He managed to grasp the metal, get a firm grip of it and heave his body upwards.
= strong
● firmly [ADV] ADV after v
She held me firmly by the elbow and led me to my aisle seat.
5 [ADJ] oft ADJ with n
If you describe someone as firm, 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 firm with him. `I don't want to see you again.'...
Perhaps they need the guiding hand of a firm father figure.
● firmly [ADV] ADV with v
`A good night's sleep is what you want,' he said firmly.
6 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
A firm decision or opinion is definite and unlikely to change.
He made a firm decision to leave Fort Multry by boat...
It is my firm belief that an effective partnership approach between police and the public is absolutely necessary.
= definite
● firmly [ADV] ADV -ed, ADV after v
He is firmly convinced that it is vital to do this.
= strongly
7 [ADJ] ADJ n
Firm evidence or information is based on facts and so is likely to be true.
There's unlikely to be firm news about the convoy's progress for some time.
= hard, definite
8 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
You use firm 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 firm control of the territory...
= secure
● firmly [ADV] ADV -ed, ADV after v
This tradition is also firmly rooted in the past...
= securely
9 [ADJ]
If a price, value, or currency is firm, it is not decreasing in value or amount.
Cotton prices remain firm and demand is strong...
The shares held firm at 280p...
= steady
● firmness [N-UNCOUNT] usu N of n
...the firmness of the dollar against other currencies.
10 [PHRASE] V inflects
If someone stands firm, they refuse to change their mind about something.
The council is standing firm against the barrage of protest...firm up
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P, V P
If you firm up something or if it firms up, it becomes firmer and more solid.
This treatment helps tone the body, firm up muscles and tighten the skin...
I now go swimming five times a week, which helps firm me up...
The mixture will seem too wet at this stage, but it will firm up when chilled.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V P, also V n P
If you firm something up or if it firms up, it becomes clearer, stronger, or more definite.
Looking to the future, the Government will firm up their plans for a cleaner, greener, safer Britain...
At least the bank situation had firmed up.
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron)
If a financial institution firms up the price or value of something, they take action to protect and maintain its price or value.
OPEC has agreed to freeze its global oil production slightly in order to firm up crude prices.