fix

1 of 2

verb

ˈfiks 

fixed; fixing; fixes

transitive verb

1

a

: to make firm, stable, or stationary

We led out more rope and fixed it in place up steeper snow.

—Joe Tasker & Peter Boardman

b

: to give a permanent or final form to: such as

(1)

: to change into a stable compound or available form

bacteria that fix nitrogen

(2)

: to kill, harden, and preserve for microscopic study

(3)

: to make the image of (a photographic film) permanent by removing unused salts

c

: affix, attach

The tables on the ship were fixed to the floor.

2

a

: to hold or direct steadily

fixes his eyes on the horizon

b

: to capture the attention of

fixed her with a stare

3

a

: to set or place definitely : establish

fixed the date of their wedding

b

: to make an accurate determination of : discover

fixing our location on the chart

c

: assign

fix the blame

4

: to set in order : adjust

fixed his spectacles and read aloud

—George Meredith

5

: to get ready : prepare

fix lunch

6

a

: repair, mend

fix the clock

b

: restore, cure

the doctor fixed him up

c

: spay, castrate

had his dog fixed

7

a

: to get even with

They thought they could cheat me, but I fixed them good.

b

: to influence the actions, outcome, or effect of by improper or illegal methods

the race had been fixed

intransitive verb

1

: to become firm, stable, or fixed

2

: to get set : be on the verge

we're fixing to leave soon

3

: to direct one's attention or efforts : focus

also : decide, settle

—usually used with on

had fixed on the first Saturday in June

All eyes fixed on her as she entered the room.

fixable

ˈfik-sə-bəl 

adjective

fix

2 of 2

noun

1

: a position of difficulty or embarrassment : predicament

2

a

: the position (as of a ship) determined by bearings, observations, or radio

also : a determination of one's position

b

: an accurate determination or understanding especially by observation or analysis

3

: an act or instance of improper or illegal fixing

the fix was in

4

: a supply or dose of something strongly desired or craved

a coffee fix

especially : a shot of a narcotic

5

: fixation

6

: something that fixes or restores : solution

an easy fix

Synonyms

Verb

• depose
• deposit
• dispose
• emplace
• lay
• place
• position
• put
• set
• set up
• situate
• stick

Noun

• bind
• box
• catch-22
• corner
• dilemma
• hole
• impasse
• jackpot [chiefly West]
• jam
• mire
• pickle
• predicament
• quagmire
• rabbit hole
• rattrap
• spot
• sticky wicket
• swamp

Choose the Right Synonym for fix

fasten, fix, attach, affix mean to make something stay firmly in place.

fasten implies an action such as tying, buttoning, nailing, locking, or otherwise securing.

fasten the reins to a post

fix usually implies a driving in, implanting, or embedding.

fixed the stake in the ground

attach suggests a connecting or uniting by a bond, link, or tie in order to keep things together.

attach the W-2 form here

affix implies an imposing of one thing on another by gluing, impressing, or nailing.

affix your address label here

Examples of fix in a Sentence

Verb

He fixed the fence last weekend.

I need to fix this dent in my car.

People expect the schools to fix whatever is wrong with their kids.

All tables on the ship will be fixed to the floor.

The table was fixed firmly to the floor.

The scarf was fixed in place with a pin.

They haven't yet fixed the date of their wedding.

They fixed the price at $10.

Investigators are still attempting to fix the exact time of the accident.

Noun

There's no easy fix to this problem.

The result was unexpected, and some people suspect a fix.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The solution isn’t fixing the other person but addressing the dynamic itself. —Molly Peck, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024

Security reviews allow businesses to proactively identify and fix vulnerabilities before cybercriminals exploit them. —Pukar Hamal, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024

Noun

The Congress could try to make the fixes permanent law (not easy to do given the requirements of reconciliation which bar an increase outside of the reconciliation window – usually ten years). —Dean Zerbe, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024

Weekly Newsletter Get your fix of JSTOR Daily’s best stories in your inbox each Thursday. —Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 17 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English fixen, derivative of fix "firmly placed," borrowed from Latin fīxus "firmly established, unchangeable," for earlier fīctus, past participle of fīgere "to drive in, insert, fasten," going back to Indo-European *d^heig^w- "pierce," whence also Lithuanian díegu, díegti "to sprout, break through"

Noun

derivative of fix entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1809, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing fix

• fix it
• fix one's eyes/gaze/stare on/upon
• fix one's eyes on
• fix one's hopes/sights on/upon
• fix on/upon
• fix (someone) with
• fix up
• get a fix on
• if it ain't broke, don't fix it
• quick fix
• the fix is in

Kids Definition

fix

1 of 2 verb

ˈfiks 

1

a

: to make firm, stable, or fast

b

: to give a permanent or final form to

c

: to change into a stable or useful form

bacteria that fix nitrogen

d

: affix entry 1 sense 1, attach

2

: to hold or direct steadily

fixed his eyes on the stage

3

: to set or place definitely : establish

fix the date of a meeting

4

: to get ready : prepare

fix dinner

5

: repair entry 2 sense 1

6

a

: to get even with

b

: to influence the outcome of (as a sports contest) dishonestly

7

: to get set : be on the verge

we're fixing to go

fixable

ˈfik-sə-bəl 

adjective

fix

2 of 2 noun

1

: a position of difficulty or embarrassment : predicament

2

: the position (as of a ship) decided upon by calculations and compass, observations, or radio

also : a deciding upon of one's position

3

a

: an act of bribery or fraud

b

: a sports contest whose outcome has been arranged in advance

4

: a dose of something strongly desired or craved

a chocolate fix

especially : a shot of a narcotic

Etymology

Verb

Middle English fixen "to fix, make firm," from Latin fixus, past participle of figere "to fasten, fix" — related to crucifix, crucify

Medical Definition

fix

1 of 2 transitive verb

ˈfiks 

1

a

: to make firm, stable, or stationary

b

: to give a permanent or final form to: as

(1)

: to change into a stable compound or available form

bacteria that fix nitrogen

(2)

: to kill, harden, and preserve for microscopic study

2

: to hold or direct steadily

fixes her eyes on the horizon

3

a

: restore, cure

the doctor fixed him up

b

: spay, castrate sense 1

intransitive verb

: to direct the gaze or attention : focus, fixate

—often used with on or upon

fix

2 of 2 noun

: a shot of a narcotic

Legal Definition

fix

transitive verb

1

a

: to make firm, stable, or stationary

b

: to attach physically

2

: to influence the actions, outcome, or effect of by improper or illegal methods

conspiracy to defraud the government by fixing income tax cases

—W. R. LaFave and A. W. Scott, Jr.

fix noun

fixer noun