firm

Universal Words noun, adjective, adverb, verb noun a business or company: an engineering firm * a firm of accountants adjective (firmer, firmest) 1 fairly hard; not easy to press into a different shape: a firm bed / mattress * These peaches are still firm. * It was good to feel the firm ground underfoot after hours of trudging through flooded fields. * Bake the cakes until they are firm to the touch. 2 not likely to change: a firm believer in socialism * a firm agreement / date / decision / offer / promise * firm beliefs / conclusions / convictions / principles * She is a firm favourite with the children. * We have no firm evidence to support the case. * They remained firm friends. 3 strongly fixed in place SYNSECURE: Stand the fish tank on a firm base. * No building can stand without firm foundations, and neither can a marriage. 4 (of sb's voice or hand movements) strong and steady: 'No,' she repeated, her voice firmer this time. * With a firm grip on my hand, he pulled me away. * She took a firm hold of my arm. * Her handshake was cool and firm. 5 (of sb's behaviour, position or understanding of sth) strong and in control: to exercise firm control / discipline / leadership * Parents must be firm with their children. * The company now has a firm footing in the marketplace. * This book will give your students a firm grasp of English grammar. * We need to keep a firm grip on the situation. 6 [usuallybeforenoun] ~ (against sth) (of a country's money, etc.) not lower than another: The pound remained firm against the dollar, but fell against the yen. seealsoFIRMLY firmness noun [U] IDIOMS be on firm ground to be in a strong position in an argument, etc. because you know the facts: Everyone agreed with me, so I knew I was on firm ground. a firm hand strong control or discipline: Those children need a firm hand to make them behave. take a firm line / stand (on / against sth) to make your beliefs known and to try to make others follow them: We need to take a firm line on tobacco advertising. * They took a firm stand against drugs in the school. adverb IDIOMS hold firm (to sth) (formal) to believe sth strongly and not change your mind: She held firm to her principles. stand fast / firm to refuse to move back; to refuse to change your opinions verb 1 [VN] to make sth become stronger or harder: Firm the soil around the plant. * This product claims to firm your body in six weeks. 2 [V] ~ (to / at...) (finance) (of shares, prices, etc.) to become steady or rise steadily: Rank's shares firmed 3p to 696p. PHRASALVERBS firm up to become harder or more solid: Put the mixture somewhere cool to firm up. firm up sth 1 to make arrangements more final and fixed: The company has not yet firmed up its plans for expansion. * The precise details still have to be firmed up. 2 to make sth harder or more solid: A few weeks of aerobics will firm up that flabby stomach.