fixing

IPA/ˈfɪk.sɪŋ/
KK[fˈɪksɪŋ]IPA/ˈfɪk.sɪŋ/

fixing — noun

  • fixingsingular
  • fixingsplural

1. the activity of returning something that is broken, damaged, or not working corr

1.nounB1
Definition

the activity of returning something that is broken, damaged, or not working correctly to a good or working condition.

Example

Matthew is good at bicycle fixing and sells the restored bikes to students at a fair price.

bicycle fixing — noun + noun compound for repair type

The fixing of the leaky pipe under the kitchen sink took the plumber less than an hour.

Common collocations
  • bike fixing
  • car fixing
  • clock fixing
  • some fixing
  • basic fixing
  • the fixing of [object]
Synonyms
  • repair

    more formal; 'repair' can be both a verb and a noun

  • mending

    more traditional, often used for clothes or fabric items

  • restoration

    implies returning something to its original excellent condition

Antonyms
  • breaking

    the opposite action of damaging something

  • damaging

    causing harm to an object

Grammar Patterns

[thing] fixing

do some fixing

Usage Note

The most common everyday sense of 'fixing'. Often appears in compounds where the thing being repaired comes first: 'bike fixing', 'car fixing', 'clock fixing'. The structure 'do some fixing' is informal but natural: 'I need to do some fixing around the house.'

Common Mistakes

I did some fixings on my car.
I did some fixing on my car.
'fixing' meaning repair is uncountable; do not add -s.
I need to do a fixing on the roof.
I need to do some fixing on the roof.' or 'I need to fix the roof.
Use 'some fixing' or the verb form.

2. the action of putting something into a secure position where it stays firmly and

2.nounB1
Definition

the action of putting something into a secure position where it stays firmly and does not move, usually by using screws, nails, or other hardware.

Example

Romi checked the fixing of each shelf bracket before placing books on them.

the fixing of [noun] — describes the action of fastening

The fixing of the handrail to the concrete wall took two workers about an hour.

Common collocations
  • fixing of brackets
  • fixing of rails
  • fixing of posts
  • fixing of bolts
  • the fixing of [object]
Synonyms
  • fastening

    more general and slightly more formal than 'fixing'

Antonyms
  • loosening

    the opposite action of making something less tight

Grammar Patterns

the fixing of [something]

Usage Note

Uncountable — do not refer to 'a fixing' when describing the process itself (use 'the fixing of' instead). Distinguish from sense 3, where 'fixing' is a countable physical object.

Common Mistakes

Do the fixings of the shelf carefully.
Do the fixing of the shelf carefully.
'fixing' meaning the process is uncountable; no plural -s.

3. a small object such as a screw, bolt, bracket, or clip that is used to hold some

3.nounB1
Definition

a small object such as a screw, bolt, bracket, or clip that is used to hold something firmly in position against a surface.

Example

Haruto bought stainless steel fixings for the bathroom shelves at the hardware store.

stainless steel fixings — material + noun collocation

The box contained eight screws, four wall plugs, and other metal fixings for the shelf kit.

Common collocations
  • stainless steel fixings
  • wall fixings
  • shelf fixings
  • pack of fixings
  • correct fixings
Synonyms
  • fastener

    more general term for any device that joins things together; 'fixings' sounds more natural for a collection of hardware

  • fitting

    overlaps but 'fitting' can also include decorative parts, not just functional fasteners

Grammar Patterns

fixings — plural form for a set of fasteners

Usage Note

Commonly used in the plural (fixings) when referring to a set of fasteners. 'Fixing' as a countable singular noun is rarer and usually refers to one specific part: 'one fixing had come loose'.

Common Mistakes

I need to buy fixing for the shelf.
I need to buy fixings for the shelf.
When referring to a set of fasteners, use the plural 'fixings'.

4. the dishonest activity of secretly arranging the result of a competition, electi

4.nounB2
Definition

the dishonest activity of secretly arranging the result of a competition, election, or sports event before it takes place, so that a particular person or team wins.

Example

The football club was banned from the league for three seasons because of match fixing.

match fixing — compound noun for sports corruption

Investigators found clear evidence of vote fixing in the district election results.

vote fixing — compound noun for electoral fraud

Common collocations
  • match fixing
  • vote fixing
  • price fixing
  • race fixing
  • guilty of fixing
Synonyms
  • rigging

    very close in meaning; 'rigging' is slightly more common for elections

  • tampering

    broader — can apply to any form of unauthorised interference

  • manipulation

    more formal, covers a wider range of dishonest influence

Antonyms
  • fair play

    behaviour that follows the rules and is honest

Grammar Patterns

match fixing

vote fixing

price fixing

race fixing

Usage Note

Almost always appears as part of a compound noun (match fixing, vote fixing, price fixing, race fixing). Usually refers to illegal activity. Distinguish from sense 1 (repairing) — 'fixing a game' in sports contexts is dishonest, not a repair.

Common Mistakes

The referee was found guilty about match fixing.
The referee was found guilty of match fixing.
The correct preposition after 'guilty' is 'of', not 'about'.

5. the vegetables, salads, sauces, and other foods that are served together with th

5.nounB2
Definition

the vegetables, salads, sauces, and other foods that are served together with the main part of a meal to complete it.

Example

Tomás made a Thanksgiving dinner with turkey and all the fixings — mashed potatoes, stuffing, and cranberry sauce.

all the fixings — fixed phrase for the complete meal experience

Abigail ordered a hamburger with the full fixings: lettuce, tomato, onions, and pickles.

full fixings — common with burgers and sandwiches

Common collocations
  • all the fixings
  • full fixings
  • burger fixings
  • Thanksgiving fixings
  • with the fixings
Synonyms
  • trimmings

    very similar meaning; 'turkey with all the trimmings' is the British equivalent

  • accompaniments

    more formal, used in restaurant menus

  • side dishes

    the neutral, everyday term for these foods

Grammar Patterns

all the fixings

with the fixings

Usage Note

Always plural (fixings). Primarily used in American English. The phrase 'all the fixings' is a fixed expression that suggests a full, generous spread of accompaniments.

Common Mistakes

I bought fixing for the salad.
I bought fixings for the salad.
Always use the plural 'fixings' for this food meaning.

6. the set of food items that are needed in order to prepare a particular dish or m

6.nounB2
Definition

the set of food items that are needed in order to prepare a particular dish or meal, before any cooking has started.

Example

Defne picked up the fixings for a salad — lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, and dressing.

fixings for [dish] — what you buy before cooking

Amani checked the fridge to see if she had the fixings for an omelette for breakfast.

Common collocations
  • fixings for
  • salad fixings
  • taco fixings
  • burger fixings
  • have the fixings
Synonyms
  • ingredients

    standard formal term; 'fixings' is more informal

  • makings

    similar informal tone; 'the makings of a good stew'

  • stuff

    very informal; avoid in writing

Grammar Patterns

fixings for [dish]

Usage Note

Always plural. Chiefly informal American English. Distinguish from sense 5: sense 5 refers to already-prepared foods served alongside a main dish, while sense 6 refers to the raw ingredients you need to cook with. Overlap with 'ingredients', but 'fixings' is more colloquial and suggests a short, familiar list of items.

Common Mistakes

What are the fixing for the cake?
What are the fixings for the cake?
Always plural for this meaning.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe returning something damaged to good condition, but they differ in scope and formality. 'Fixing' is the most informal and everyday — you fix a bike tyre or a leaking tap, and it implies a practical, hands-on approach. 'Repair' is the standard neutral term used in professional contexts: a repair shop, repair work, repair costs. 'Mending' is more traditional and is especially common for fabrics and clothing — mending a torn shirt or a hole in a sock. 'Restoration' is the most formal and ambitious: it means returning something to its original excellent condition, often involving skilled work on antiques, artworks, or historic buildings. For everyday broken items around the house, 'fixing' or 'repair' are the best choices. For example: 'The fixing of my bicycle chain took ten minutes.' 'The antique clock needs careful restoration by an expert.'

fixing ↗repair ↗mending ↗restoration ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • fixing of
  • fixing for

Adverbs

Phrases

  • the fixing of [something]
  • [something] fixing
  • with all the fixings

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

'Fixing' comes from the verb 'fix', which entered English from Latin 'fixus', the past participle of 'figere' (meaning 'to fasten, set in place'). The original sense was about physically fastening objects. By the 18th century, 'fix' had developed the meaning of 'repair, put in order'. The dishonest-arrangement sense (as in 'match fixing') appeared around the late 19th century. The food sense ('fixings') emerged in American English in the 19th century, from the idea of things being 'fixed' or set out on the table.

First known use

1605

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1