26984 words

firmer

22 definitions • 52 examples
1
not soft but not completely hard:

Examples:

I'd rather sleep on a firm mattress than a soft one.
These pears are still too firm to eat.
2
well fixed in place or position:

Examples:

3
fixed at the same level or opinion and not changing:

Examples:

4
strong and tight:

Examples:

Keep a firm hold of the handrail as you go down.
5
certain or of a good standard, and not likely to change:

Examples:

firm evidence Some people still claim that there is no firm evidence linking smoking with lung cancer.
firm grasp of You need a firm grasp of mathematics to become an astronaut.
6
forceful and making people do what you want:

Examples:

I was always very firm with my children - they knew the rules and I made sure they followed them.
firm grip on No one seems to have a firm grip on the company at the moment.
7

Examples:

law firm He works for a law firm called Neil and Vigliano.
She's just started working for an accounting firm.
firm of UK He took advice from the firm of accountants that helped him to sell his business.
She is talking to a firm of solicitors about taking legal action.
Three firms of architects have submitted proposals for the project.
8

Examples:

She works for a local firm that makes medical equipment.
This new tax will put a lot of small firms out of business.
9
a way of referring to the UK Royal Family as an organization:

Examples:

The Firm is an unofficial nickname that dates back to the time of Queen Elizabeth II’s father, King George VI.
The Firm refers to the business side of the Royal Family and is generally used to describe the institution of Buckingham Palace, which includes senior courtiers and advisers.
10
a group of violent supporters of a football team who organize or try to start fights with supporters of other teams:

Examples:

Millwall and West Ham had had firms for 30 years, so it's hardly surprising there was violence.
11
to make soil harder by pressing on it:

Examples:

Firm the soil around the cuttings and water them in.
12
to stop changing or to remain at the same level, amount, etc.:

Examples:

After a turbulent week on the markets, share prices firmed today.
13
set in place and unable or unlikely to move, come loose, or fall over:

Examples:

The rocks were wet, and we couldn’t get a firm footing.
fig. Sometimes it takes more courage to admit you’re wrong than to stand firm (= continue to defend an opinion).
fig. The dean is holding firm and refusing to give in to student demands.
14
not soft when pressed; solid or strong:

Examples:

fig. No one seems to have a firm grip on (= be in control of) the situation at the moment.
15
certain or fixed in a belief, opinion, etc., and unlikely to change, or so certain as to be beyond doubt or question:

Examples:

They made a firm commitment to complete the job this week.
The decision is firm – there will be a strike.
16
Firm can also mean showing control and making sure you will be obeyed:

Examples:

A new teacher has to be firm with her students.
17

Examples:

a law firm
18

Examples:

The firm's share price has been rising steadily.
big/medium-sized/small firm Small and medium-sized firms accounted for 69.8% of the UK business population.
leading/major/top firm He hired a top firm of architects and re-mortgaged the family home to finance the project.
set up/start (up)/establish a firm Her grandfather had set up the firm soon after the war.
run/manage a firm The firm was run from an office in Bolton.
She joined the family firm soon after leaving school.
19
agreed or decided and not likely to change:

Examples:

firm order/offer They already have firm orders for much of the new stock.
firm decision We haven't made a firm decision as yet.
20
used to describe a price or level that is high and is likely to rise or stay high:

Examples:

Home prices are edging higher as builders pay record prices for lumber, and tight supplies should keep prices firm next year.
21
to remain at a high level:

Examples:

Top share prices held firm through to the close, with the main index up 27.8.
22
to remain at the same level, amount, etc. or to rise slightly:

Examples:

In industries such as paper, chemicals, and steel, prices have firmed.
firm to sth Copper firmed 1.8 cents to 142.1 cents a pound.
firm against sth The dollar, meanwhile, firmed against the euro in the wake of the interest rate rise.
Bank shares firmed on expectations that the Reserve Bank would leave interest rates untouched.

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