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
Dade Hayes, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2025
Kudus, Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur threw their weight around in a few firm challenges.
—Jay Harris, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
Tim Hackett, SI.com, 14 Apr. 2018
Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2025
Dialing up that Corsa setting makes maximum engine boost available on demand, sharpens the throttle, firms the suspension, and throws active exhaust valves open at all times.
—Lawrence Ulrich, Robb Report, 29 Oct. 2025
Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Aramco agreed to acquire a minority stake in HUMAIN, and will contribute its AI assets, capabilities, and talent to the new firm.
—Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for firm
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adjective
The league has no salary cap, and heading into negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement ahead of a 2026 deadline it is expected that owners will take a firm position against the players’ union in trying to secure one.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2025
Kudus, Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur threw their weight around in a few firm challenges.
—Jay Harris, New York Times, 2 Nov. 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
Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream The cream is formulated with skin-nourishing ingredients, like niacinamide to brighten the skin and strengthen its moisture barrier, amino peptides to firm and sculpt, and hydrating hyaluronic acid to plump fine lines and wrinkles.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2025
Dialing up that Corsa setting makes maximum engine boost available on demand, sharpens the throttle, firms the suspension, and throws active exhaust valves open at all times.
—Lawrence Ulrich, Robb Report, 29 Oct. 2025
Noun
And what the pair had was their family firm's bubbling de-icers, $400 electric fan-like devices that, when lowered into the sea, churned warmer water up from below to prevent ice from forming.
—Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Aramco agreed to acquire a minority stake in HUMAIN, and will contribute its AI assets, capabilities, and talent to the new firm.
—Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 29 Oct. 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 4 Nov. 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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