firm
firm — adjective
- firmpositive
- firmercomparative
- firmestsuperlative
1. having a surface that gives only a little when you press it, without being as ha
having a surface that gives only a little when you press it, without being as hard as metal, stone, or wood
The mattress at the hotel was firm enough to support Christopher's bad back.
collocation: firm mattress / firm pillow
Yuki pressed the avocado gently and found it still too firm to eat.
Builders need firm ground before they can lay a concrete foundation.
The cheese was firm on the outside but soft and creamy in the middle.
Folake prefers a firm pillow that keeps her neck straight while she sleeps.
文法句型
firm + noun
be + firm
用法筆記
Often describes natural or manufactured materials that hold their shape under pressure — fruit, soil, cheese, foam, or building surfaces.
常見錯誤
2. held in place so securely that it does not move, wobble, or come loose
held in place so securely that it does not move, wobble, or come loose
Make sure the ladder is firm against the wall before you climb up.
pattern: firm against/in/on + [surface]
The shelf did not feel firm, so Noa added another metal bracket.
After the typhoon, Hoa checked that every roof tile was still firm.
Tent pegs must be firm in the ground or the wind will pull them out.
Rachel held the rope firm while Ziad climbed down the steep cliff.
文法句型
firm + against/in/on + noun
be + firm
用法筆記
Common with prepositions indicating the surface or location something is fixed to (against the wall, in the ground, on the frame). The object is typically something that could come loose: a fixture, a fastener, or a support.
常見錯誤
3. refusing to change a belief, decision, or position despite pressure or persuasio
refusing to change a belief, decision, or position despite pressure or persuasion from others
Élise remained firm in her decision to study medicine despite the high cost of tuition.
pattern: firm + in/about + [belief/decision]
Brooke is firm in her belief that regular exercise improves both body and mind.
The local government took a firm stance against tax evasion and fraud.
Ada was firm with her children about limiting screen time to one hour a day.
His firm opposition to the new policy surprised everyone at the board meeting.
文法句型
firm + in/about + noun/gerund
firm + with + noun
remain/stay + firm
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 5 (CERTAIN): this sense describes a person's refusal to change their position; sense 5 describes a fact or arrangement that is reliably established. You can be firm in a belief that turns out to be wrong; a firm fact cannot be wrong.
常見錯誤
4. applied with steady physical strength and control, especially when holding, grip
applied with steady physical strength and control, especially when holding, gripping, or pressing something
The elderly man still had a firm grip on the stair railing as he walked.
collocation: firm grip / firm handshake / firm hold
Devika gave Antonia a firm handshake before walking into the interview room.
A firm hold on the handlebar is essential when cycling on rough mountain roads.
The doctor's fingers were firm and steady as she examined the swollen ankle.
Ziad kept a firm hold of his suitcase as the crowd pushed past him.
文法句型
firm + noun (grip/handshake/hold)
be + firm
用法筆記
Commonly describes a physical grip, handshake, or touch, but also extends to a person's voice or step when these convey steadiness. The key difference from sense 1 (FIRM TEXTURE) is that this sense focuses on the action or application of strength rather than the object's own quality.
5. reliably fixed and not subject to future change, especially in a business or pla
reliably fixed and not subject to future change, especially in a business or planning context — for example, a definite date, a confirmed offer, or solid evidence
The company received a firm offer of two million dollars for the office building.
collocation: firm offer / firm date / firm evidence
Noa had no firm evidence that anyone had broken into the house that night.
We need a firm date for the wedding before we can book the venue.
There is a firm agreement between the two countries to reduce industrial emissions.
Christopher set a firm deadline of Friday for all team members to submit their reports.
- tentative
not yet final; could still change
- provisional
temporary and subject to confirmation
文法句型
firm + noun (offer/date/evidence/deadline/agreement)
用法筆記
Used with nouns like 'evidence,' 'date,' 'offer,' 'deadline,' and 'agreement' — things that are established and will not be altered. In business contexts, a 'firm offer' is legally binding once accepted. Do not use this sense for people; it describes arrangements and facts.
常見錯誤
6. showing authority and control in the way you speak or act, making others underst
showing authority and control in the way you speak or act, making others understand that you will not be persuaded or pushed around
The teacher used a firm voice to stop the argument between the two students.
collocation: firm voice / firm tone / firm approach
Folake gave a firm reply when the salesman tried to pressure her into buying.
A firm but fair approach to discipline helped the class behave much better.
Brooke was firm yet polite when she told her team they had to work Saturday.
The manager's firm tone made it clear that lateness would not be tolerated.
文法句型
firm + noun (voice/tone/approach/response)
be + firm + with + noun
用法筆記
Often paired with 'but fair' or 'but polite' to soften the sense, since being firm in this sense can sound harsh if used alone. The collocation 'firm but fair' is a fixed expression in management and parenting contexts.
常見錯誤
firm — adverb
1. in a manner that shows steady pressure, strong control, or resolute determinatio
in a manner that shows steady pressure, strong control, or resolute determination — either physically, verbally, or in terms of commitment
The union negotiator held firm to her demands throughout the three-hour meeting.
pattern: stand firm / hold firm / remain firmly
Rachel stood firm on her principles even when everyone in the room disagreed.
Ziad pushed firmly against the wooden door until it finally swung open.
I will not change my mind, said Élise firmly, looking straight at the committee.
The city government remains firmly committed to reducing carbon emissions by 2030.
- resolutely
more formal; stresses determination in the face of opposition
- steadily
emphasises even, controlled application rather than forcefulness
- securely
focuses on the physical aspect — safely attached or held
文法句型
verb + firmly
firmly + adjective/past participle
用法筆記
The adverb can modify physical actions (push firmly), speech acts (say firmly), or states of commitment (remain firmly committed to). The fixed expression 'stand firm' and 'hold firm' function as phrasal verbs and do not take an -ly form.
常見錯誤
firm — noun
- firmsingular
- firmsplural
1. a business that offers a professional service, typically staffed by qualified sp
a business that offers a professional service, typically staffed by qualified specialists such as lawyers, accountants, architects, or consultants
Yuki got a job at a top law firm in Taipei after graduating from university.
collocation: law firm / accounting firm / consulting firm
The accounting firm audited the company's financial records every single year.
Noa's father runs a small architectural firm with only eight employees.
The consulting firm advised the hospital on how to cut operating costs.
Christopher left the large corporate law firm to start a small practice of his own.
文法句型
the + [adj] + firm
firm + of + [profession]
用法筆記
In everyday English, a 'firm' is almost always a professional-services business. The noun is most commonly modified by the profession: law firm, accounting firm, consulting firm, architectural firm. For a general product-making or retail business, use 'company' or 'business' instead.
常見錯誤
2. any business or commercial organisation, especially one that is not a giant inte
any business or commercial organisation, especially one that is not a giant international corporation
The family-owned firm has been making high-quality furniture for over sixty years.
collocation: family firm / local firm / small firm
Ada started her own firm selling handmade soaps and candles at weekend markets.
The firm's profits increased by twenty percent last quarter, which surprised investors.
Devika works for a small engineering firm that builds bridges and road tunnels.
Several local firms have offered to sponsor the community festival this summer.
- company
the most general term for any business organisation; slightly more formal
- business
emphasises commercial activity rather than the legal structure
- enterprise
more formal; often used for new or innovative businesses
文法句型
[adj] + firm
family + firm
firm + verb
用法筆記
Broader than sense 1 (PROFESSIONAL COMPANY): this covers any business from a bakery to a manufacturer. In British English it is very common; American English prefers 'company' in most contexts, reserving 'firm' for professional services.
常見錯誤
3. an informal nickname for the British Royal Family, likening it to a business tha
an informal nickname for the British Royal Family, likening it to a business that manages its own brand and public image
British tabloids often refer to the Royal Family simply as the Firm.
fixed expression: the Firm (capital F, British media)
The documentary explored how the Firm manages its public image across the globe.
Members of the Firm attend hundreds of official charity events each year.
Critics of the monarchy argue that the Firm costs taxpayers too much money.
The Queen famously described the monarchy as the Firm in the nineteen-nineties.
文法句型
the Firm
用法筆記
Always capitalised as 'the Firm' and used with the definite article. First popularised by King George VI and later famously used by Queen Elizabeth II. Common in British journalism but rarely used in American English.
4. an organised group of fanatical football supporters who deliberately seek out fi
an organised group of fanatical football supporters who deliberately seek out fights with rival teams' fans
A group of football firm members were arrested by police after the match.
British English: football firm = organised hooligan gang
The police keep a close watch on known football firms operating in the city.
Documentaries have been made about the history of football firms in England.
Ziad's cousin was involved with a football firm during his younger days.
The club banned anyone linked to a football firm from attending home games.
文法句型
football + firm
firm + verb (usually in plural)
用法筆記
A specifically British usage, most common in media coverage of football hooliganism. The word can be used neutrally or descriptively by journalists or self-referentially by members of such groups. It is not used for casual groups of friends going to a match together.
常見錯誤
firm — verb
- firmpresent simple I / you / we / they
- firms3rd person singular
- firming-ing form
- firmedpast simple
1. to press or shape something so that it becomes compact, solid, or tight; or to b
to press or shape something so that it becomes compact, solid, or tight; or to become compact, solid, or tight naturally through drying or settling
The gardener firmed the soil around the young tree with both hands.
transitive: firm + [object] / intransitive: firm up
You need to firm the concrete before it begins to set and harden.
Hoa firmed the dough into a smooth ball before placing it in the bowl.
The ground has firmed up after three days of strong sunshine without rain.
Builders use heavy rollers to firm the earth before laying the foundation.
文法句型
firm + noun
firm + up
firm + up + noun
noun + firms
用法筆記
The transitive form (firm the soil) is less common in everyday speech; the phrasal 'firm up' is more frequent in both transitive (firm up the dough) and intransitive (the jelly has firmed up) uses. 'Firm' as a verb is much rarer than the adjective; learners will encounter it more often in gardening, cooking, and construction contexts.
常見錯誤
2. to reach a steady level after a period of change or decline, especially in price
to reach a steady level after a period of change or decline, especially in prices, markets, or economic indicators
Oil prices have firmed after months of steady decline in the global market.
financial context: prices/shares/market firm (up)
The company's shares firmed on the Tokyo stock exchange this morning.
We should wait for the market to firm before selling our stock portfolio.
The central bank's decision helped the local currency firm against the dollar.
Demand for housing has firmed in the city center this quarter, brokers report.
- stabilize
more general and formal; not limited to financial contexts
- strengthen
implies an upward movement, while 'firm' suggests holding steady at a level
- recover
specifically means returning to a previous higher level after a drop
文法句型
noun + firms
noun + firms + up
firm + up + noun
用法筆記
Almost exclusively used in financial journalism and market reporting. The intransitive form (prices firmed) is most common; the transitive form (the bank firmed interest rates) is rare. 'Firm up' can replace 'firm' in both senses but is slightly less formal.