firm

CEFRB2

/fɜːm/

adjective · noun

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    adjective

    Not soft and not easily changed or moved.

  2. 02

    adjective

    Extra detail

    A business enterprise, however organized.

Examples

  • A German firm launched a takeover bid for the company.

  • The firm has a great deal of trust in your ability.

At a glance

Sits at B2 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
2
Citations
5
Synonyms
4

Also pronounced

  • /feːm/

Deep Dive

adjective

Extra meanings

  1. A criminal gang, especially based around football hooliganism.

  2. Steadfast, secure, solid (in position)

noun

Extra meaning

  1. A business partnership; the name under which it trades.

More examples

In context

  • The firm went under due to lack of capital.

  • It's good to have a firm grip when shaking hands.

  • a firm believer; a firm friend; a firm adherent

Synonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The ground was surprisingly blank after the heavy rain, making it easy to walk without sinking.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

adjective

From Italian firma (“signature”), from firmare (“to sign”), from Latin firmāre (“to make firm, to confirm (by signature)”), from firmus (“firm, stable”). The contemporary sense developed in the 18th century simultaneously with German Firma (“business, name of business”). There are conflicting statements in the literature as to which of the two languages influenced which. Doublet of dharma and dhamma. Other cognates include Russian держать (deržatʹ, “to hold”).