1
a
: securely or solidly fixed in place
his teeth were firm
b
: not weak or uncertain : vigorous
a firm handshake
c
: having a solid or compact structure that resists stress or pressure
firm apples
2
a(1)
: not subject to change or revision
a firm offer
a firm date
(2)
: not subject to price weakness : steady
firm commodities
b
: not easily moved or disturbed : steadfast
a firm believer in democracy
c
: well-founded
firm evidence of criminal activity
3
: indicating firmness or resolution
a firm mouth
a firm voice
firmly
adverb
firmness
noun
: in a firm manner : steadfastly, fixedly
firmed; firming; firms
1
a
: to make secure or fast : tighten
firming her grip on the racquet
—often used with up
b
: to make solid or compact
firm the soil
2
: to put into final form : settle
firm a contract
firm up plans
3
: to give additional support to : strengthen
—usually used with up
1
: the name or title under which a company transacts business
2
: a partnership of two or more persons that is not recognized as a legal person distinct from the members composing it
3
: a business unit or enterprise
Examples of firm in a Sentence
Adjective
She has a firm grasp of the basic principles.
They insist on maintaining firm control over the project.
He spoke to her in a soft but firm voice.
The time has come for us to take a firm stand.
The children need gentle but firm handling.
Verb
wait for the modeling clay to firm up before handling the finished pot
Noun
merged with another firm to become a major player in the brokerage business
Recent Examples on the Web
Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 9 May 2025
Taskmaster Saturn will also enter Aries on May 24, challenging your one-on-one partnerships and commitments, as you are called to take your relationships more seriously and establish firm boundaries in the process.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 9 May 2025
Tim Hackett, SI.com, 14 Apr. 2018
Jackie Fields, People.com, 1 May 2025
This call now comes after most of his competitors in the June primary had firmed up their own positions.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2025
Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 13 May 2025
The possible execution of the executive order poses risks for major pharmaceutical firms, including Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ).
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for firm
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Adjective
Texture-wise, the Jell-O is firm, but still joyously jiggly and soft, punctuated by bites of ripe strawberries.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 9 May 2025
Taskmaster Saturn will also enter Aries on May 24, challenging your one-on-one partnerships and commitments, as you are called to take your relationships more seriously and establish firm boundaries in the process.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 9 May 2025
Adverb
The Golden Knights generated multiple good chances, but Quick and the rest of Los Angeles' makeshift defense held firm once again to preserve the tie.
—Tim Hackett, SI.com, 14 Apr. 2018
Verb
This summer he's focused on protecting your most sensitive skin with the launch of his mineral spf 30 lip serum, a silky formula that's packed with peptides and vitamin C to brighten and peptides to firm.
—Jackie Fields, People.com, 1 May 2025
This call now comes after most of his competitors in the June primary had firmed up their own positions.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2025
Noun
FedEx stopped performing ground deliveries for Amazon packages at the end of the deal as the logistics firms operated more as competitors, and the e-commerce giant expanded its logistics network.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 13 May 2025
The possible execution of the executive order poses risks for major pharmaceutical firms, including Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ).
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for firm
Cite this Entry
“Firm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/firm. Accessed 19 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
firm
1 of 4 adjective1
a
: solidly fixed in place
b
: not weak or uncertain : vigorous
c
: having a solid or compact texture
2
a
: not likely to be changed
a firm offer
b
: not easily moved or disturbed : steadfast
a firm believer
3
: indicating firmness or determination
firmly
adverb
firmness
noun
firm
2 of 4 adverb
: in a firm manner
stood firm
firm
3 of 4 verb1
a
: to make secure
firm your grip on the racket
b
: to make solid or compact
firm the soil
2
: to become firm
firm
4 of 4 noun
: a business organization
law firm
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English ferm "firm, secure," from early French ferm (same meaning), from Latin firmus "firm, secure, solid"
Noun
from German firma "the name or sign under which a company does business," from Italian firma "signature," derived from Latin firmare "to make firm, to approve, to sign," from firmus "firm, secure"
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