FIRM
Dictionary entry overview: What does firm mean?
• FIRM (noun)
The noun FIRM has 1 sense:
1. the members of a business organization that owns or operates one or more establishments
Familiarity information: FIRM used as a noun is very rare.
• FIRM (adjective)
The adjective FIRM has 11 senses:
1. marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
2. not soft or yielding to pressure
3. strong and sure
4. not subject to revision or change
5. (of especially a person's physical features) not shaking or trembling
6. not liable to fluctuate or especially to fall
7. securely established
8. possessing the tone and resiliency of healthy tissue
9. pleasingly firm and fresh and making a crunching noise when chewed
10. securely fixed in place
11. unwavering in devotion to friend or vow or cause
Familiarity information: FIRM used as an adjective is familiar.
• FIRM (verb)
The verb FIRM has 2 senses:
1. become taut or tauter
2. make taut or tauter
Familiarity information: FIRM used as a verb is rare.
• FIRM (adverb)
The adverb FIRM has 1 sense:
1. with resolute determination
Familiarity information: FIRM used as an adverb is very rare.
Dictionary entry details
• FIRM (noun)
Meaning:
The members of a business organization that owns or operates one or more establishments
Classified under:
Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects
Synonyms:
business firm; firm; house
Context example:
he worked for a brokerage house
Hypernyms ("firm" is a kind of...):
business; business concern; business organisation; business organization; concern (a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "firm"):
corp; corporation (a business firm whose articles of incorporation have been approved in some state)
accounting firm (a firm of accountants who provide accounting and auditing services for a fee)
consulting company; consulting firm (a firm of experts providing professional advice to an organization for a fee)
publisher; publishing company; publishing firm; publishing house (a firm in the publishing business)
dealer (a firm engaged in trading)
law firm (a firm of lawyers)
auction house (a firm that conducts auctions)
• FIRM (adjective)
Meaning:
Marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
Synonyms:
unwavering; unshakable; unfaltering; unbendable; steadfast; firm; steady; stiff
Context examples:
firm convictions / a firm mouth / steadfast resolve / a man of unbendable perseverence / unwavering loyalty
Similar:
resolute (firm in purpose or belief; characterized by firmness and determination)
Meaning:
Not soft or yielding to pressure
Synonyms:
firm; solid
Context examples:
a firm mattress / the snow was firm underfoot / solid ground
Similar:
hard (resisting weight or pressure)
Meaning:
Strong and sure
Synonyms:
firm; strong
Context examples:
a firm grasp / gave a strong pull on the rope
Similar:
forceful (characterized by or full of force or strength (often but not necessarily physical))
Meaning:
Not subject to revision or change
Context examples:
a firm contract / a firm offer
Similar:
settled (established or decided beyond dispute or doubt)
Meaning:
(of especially a person's physical features) not shaking or trembling
Context examples:
his voice was firm and confident / a firm step
Similar:
steady (not subject to change or variation especially in behavior)
Meaning:
Not liable to fluctuate or especially to fall
Synonyms:
unfluctuating; steady; firm
Context example:
stocks are still firm
Similar:
stable (resistant to change of position or condition)
Meaning:
Securely established
Synonyms:
established; firm
Context examples:
an established reputation / holds a firm position as the country's leading poet
Similar:
secure (free from danger or risk)
Meaning:
Possessing the tone and resiliency of healthy tissue
Context example:
firm muscles
Similar:
healthy (having or indicating good health in body or mind; free from infirmity or disease)
Meaning:
Pleasingly firm and fresh and making a crunching noise when chewed
Synonyms:
crunchy; crisp; firm
Context examples:
crisp carrot and celery sticks / a firm apple / crunchy lettuce
Similar:
fresh (recently made, produced, or harvested)
Meaning:
Securely fixed in place
Synonyms:
immobile; fast; firm
Context example:
the post was still firm after being hit by the car
Similar:
fixed (securely placed or fastened or set)
Meaning:
Unwavering in devotion to friend or vow or cause
Synonyms:
truehearted; loyal; fast; firm
Context examples:
a firm ally / loyal supporters / the true-hearted soldier...of Tippecanoe / fast friends
Similar:
faithful (steadfast in affection or allegiance)
• FIRM (verb)
Meaning:
Become taut or tauter
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Synonyms:
tauten; firm
Context examples:
Your muscles will firm when you exercise regularly / the rope tautened
Hypernyms (to "firm" is one way to...):
tighten (become tight or tighter)
Sentence frame:
Something ----s
Meaning:
Make taut or tauter
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Synonyms:
firm; tauten
Context example:
tauten a rope
Hypernyms (to "firm" is one way to...):
fasten; tighten (make tight or tighter)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
• FIRM (adverb)
Meaning:
With resolute determination
Synonyms:
firm; firmly; steadfastly; unwaveringly
Context examples:
we firmly believed it / you must stand firm
