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   firm

   /fəːm/

   adjective

   • 1. having a solid, almost unyielding surface or structure: "the bed should be reasonably firm, but not too hard" Similar hardsolidunyieldingresistantsolidifiedhardenedcompactedcompressedcondenseddenseclose-grainedstiffrigidinflexibleinelasticwalkablecongealedfrozensetgelledstonysteelyliterary:adamantineOpposite softyielding
   • ▪ solidly in place and stable: "no building can stand without firm foundations" Similar securesecuredstablesteadystrongsturdyfixedfastsettautestablishedtightimmovableirremovableunshakeablestationarymotionlessanchoredmooredrootedembeddedrivetedbracedcementednailedtiedOpposite unstable
   • ▪ having steady but not excessive power or strength: "you need a firm grip on the steering" Similar strongvigorousforcefulvice-likesturdyrobustOpposite limp
   • ▪ showing resolute determination and strength of character: "parents should be firm with children and not give in to their demands" Similar resolutedetermineddecidedresolvedsteadfastadamantassertiveemphaticinsistentsingle-mindedin earnestwhole-heartedunfalteringunwaveringunflinchingunswervingunyieldingunbendinginflexibleobdurateobstinatestubbornintransigentimplacablerelentlessunrelentinghard-linestrictunmalleablestrong-willeddominantdomineeringcommitteddyed-in-the-woolthrough-and-throughseasonedhardenedOpposite irresolute
   • 2. strongly felt and unlikely to change: "he retains a firm belief in the efficacy of prayer"
   • ▪ steadfast and constant: "we became firm friends" Similar closegoodboonintimateconfidentialinseparabledearspecialfastvaluedtreasuredcherishedconstantenduringabidingdevotedlovingfaithfuldurablereliabledeep-rootedlong-standinglong-lastingsteadysteadfaststablestaunchOpposite distant
   • ▪ decided upon and fixed or definite: "she had no firm plans for the next day" Similar definitefixedsettleddecidedestablishedconfirmedagreedexactclear-cutconcretehard and fastunalterableunchangeableirreversiblewrit in stoneOpposite indefinite
   • ▪ (of a currency, shares, etc.) having a steady value or price which is more likely to rise than fall: "the pound was firm against the dollar"

   verb

   • 1. make more solid or resilient: "how can I firm up a sagging bustline?"
   • ▪ fix (a plant) securely in the soil: "don't tread around bushes to firm them"
   • ▪ make (an agreement or plan) explicit and definite: "the agreements still have to be firmed up"
   • ▪ (of a price) rise slightly to reach a level considered secure: "he believed house prices would firm by the end of the year"

   adverb

   • 1. in a resolute and determined manner: "the Chancellor has held firm to tough economic policies"

   Word Origin Middle English: from Old French ferme, from Latin firmus.

   Scrabble Points: 9

   • F

     4

   • I

     1

   • R

     1

   • M

     3

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