firm

firm1 [ fɜrm ] adjective ***

1. ) solid but not hard:

The ground beneath our feet was fairly firm and not too muddy.

I sleep better on a firm mattress.

firm, ripe tomatoes

─ opposite SOFT

2. ) steady and fixed in place:

Make sure the ladder is firm before you start to climb.

a ) steady and not likely to change:

The dollar remained firm against the yen today.

─ opposite UNSTABLE

3. ) definite and not likely to change:

Have you set a firm date for the meeting?

a firm commitment: We want a firm commitment that resources will be provided.

a firm belief/conviction: It is my firm belief that we must encourage debate.

a firm believer: Mark's a firm believer in discipline for children.

a firm favorite: The Rams are firm favorites to take the title this year.

a ) definite and reliable:

firm evidence: No firm evidence links pollution with asthma.

firm news: All we have at the moment is rumors, no firm news.

4. ) showing that you are in control of a situation and will not be easily forced to do something:

Her staff regard her as firm but fair.

What the party needs now is firm leadership.

be firm with someone: You sometimes have to be firm with young children.

take firm action: The government must take firm action to stop the fighting.

a ) physically or mentally strong:

She took a firm hold of the stick and pulled hard.

Her handshake was firm and her smile warm.

Bruce put a firm hand on my arm.

b ) hold firm to something to continue to believe in or support something despite pressure from other people:

NATO held firm to their policy on aggression.

c ) stand firm to refuse to change your opinion or policy despite pressure from other people:

They are standing firm against pressure from the rest of Europe.

d ) take a firm stand/line to state your opinion and refuse to change it:

The government has taken a firm line on illegal immigration.

a firm hand

if someone needs a firm hand, they need to be controlled in a strict way

╾ firm|ly adverb:

I firmly believe that we must act at once.

╾ firm|ness noun uncount

firm

firm 2 [ fɜrm ] noun count **

a business or company:

a building/engineering/law firm

a large firm: She works for a large firm.

firm of: a firm of accountants/architects/lawyers

firm

firm 3 [ fɜrm ] verb

1. ) transitive to make something more solid and strong:

Gently firm the earth around the new plants.

a ) intransitive LITERARY to become or appear stronger:

Anna's jaw firmed as she thought of what she must do.

2. ) intransitive to become less likely to change:

Share prices have firmed for the fourth day in a row.

,firm `up phrasal verb

1. ) intransitive or transitive become more definite or make something more definite:

Negotiators will meet later this week to firm up the deal.

Voting preferences have firmed up over the past few months.

2. ) transitive to make the muscles in a part of your body stronger

a ) to give someone or something what they need in order to be stronger:

They've agreed to firm up their peacekeeping force.