firm

firm: firm adj Firm, hard, solid are comparable chiefly as meaning having a texture or consistency that markedly resists deformation by external force.

Firm (opposed to loose, flabby) suggests such closeness or compactness of texture or a consistency so heavy or substantial that the substance or material quickly returns to shape or is difficult to pull, distort, cut, or displace

{
firm cloth
}

{
firm flesh
}

{
firm jellies
}

{
firm ground
}

Hard (opposed to soft; see also HARD 2) implies impenetrability or relatively complete resistance to pressure or tension but, unlike firm, hard rarely implies elasticity

{
hard as adamant
}

{
hard as steel
}

{
diamond is one of the hardest substances known
}

Solid (opposed to fluid) implies such density and coherence in the mass as enable a thing to maintain a fixed form in spite of external deforming forces

{
solid mineral matter
}

As opposed to flimsy, the term implies a structure or construction that makes a thing sound, strong, or stable

{
solid furniture
}

{
a solid foundation
}

{
the bungalow was a very solid one— Kipling
}

As opposed to hollow, it implies the absence of empty spaces within the structure or mass and, usually, the same or similar density and hardness of material throughout

{
a solid rubber tire
}

{
a solid wall
}

In extended use firm implies stability, fixedness, or resolution

{
a firm purpose
}

{
a firm belief
}

{
guide with a firm hand
}

{
a firm and even tough diplomacy— Gaitskell
}

Hard implies obduracy or lack of feeling

{
a hard master
}

{
she was firm, but she was not hard— Archibald Marshall
}

{
a sort of scoutmaster to a hard gang of boys— Lovett
}

Solid usually implies substantiality or genuineness

{
a solid meal
}

{
solid facts
}

{
solid virtues
}

{
solid attainments
}

{
money, the great solvent of the solid fabric of the old society, the great generator of illusion— Trilling
}

but it may imply absolute reliability or seriousness of purpose

{
solid banks
}

{
a solid character
}

{
his scholarship was solid and sound— McGifferty
}

or unbroken continuity (as in time, group feeling, or opinion)

{
put in a solid week on a piece of work
}

{
the solid vote of the members
}

Analogous words: compact, Close, dense, thick: tough, tenacious, *strong: *stiff, rigid, inflexible

Antonyms: loose, flabby

Contrasted words: flaccid, *limp, floppy, flimsy, sleazy

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Synonyms:

Compact, compressed, solid, dense, hard, not soft, not fluid / Fixed, fast, rooted, established, settled, confirmed, stable, secure, immovable / Steady, steadfast, unshaken, resolute, stanch, constant / Strong, robust, sinewy, sturdy, Concern, house, company, partnership

Look at other dictionaries:

Firm — or The Firm can have several meanings:*Any business entity such as a corporation, partnership or sole proprietorship. This more general meaning is used in macroeconomics (in terms such as ideal firm size). *The word firm is sometimes used in a… … Wikipedia
Firm — Firm, a. [Compar. {Firmer}; superl. {Firmest}.] [OE. ferme, F. ferme, fr.L. firmus; cf. Skr. dharman support, law, order, dh? to hold fast, carry. Cf. {Farm}, {Throne}.] 1. Fixed; hence, closely compressed; compact; substantial; hard; solid;… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
firm — firm1 [fʉrm] adj. [ME ferm < OFr < L firmus < IE base * dher , to hold, support > Sans dhárma, precept, law, Gr thronos, armchair] 1. not yielding easily under pressure; solid; hard 2. not moved or shaken easily; fixed; stable 3.… … English World dictionary
firm — Ⅰ. firm [1] ► ADJECTIVE 1) having an unyielding surface or structure. 2) solidly in place and stable. 3) having steady power or strength: a firm grip. 4) showing resolute determination. 5) fixed or definite: firm plans … English terms dictionary
Firm — Firm, n. [It. firma the (firm, sure, or confirming) signature or subscription, or Pg. firma signature, firm, cf. Sp. firma signature; all fr. L. firmus, adj., firm. See {Firm}, a.] The name, title, or style, under which a company transacts… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
firm — n [German Firma, from Italian, signature, ultimately from Latin firmare to make firm, confirm] 1: the name or title under which a company transacts business 2: a partnership of two or more persons that is not recognized as a legal person distinct … Law dictionary
Firm — Firm, v. t. [OE. fermen to make firm, F. fermer, fr. L. firmare to make firm. See {Firm}, a.] 1. To fix; to settle; to confirm; to establish. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] And Jove has firmed it with an awful nod. Dryden. [1913 Webster] 2. To fix or… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
firm — [adj1] inflexible close, close grained, compact, compressed, concentrated, concrete, condensed, congealed, dense, fine grained, hard, hardened, heavy, impenetrable, impermeable, impervious, inelastic, jelled, nonporous, refractory, rigid, set,… … New thesaurus
firm — Adj erw. fremd. Erkennbar fremd (18. Jh.) Entlehnung. Entlehnt aus l. fīrmus fest, sicher, stark , wohl in Anlehnung an ne. firm. Ebenso ne. firm. Hierzu unmittelbar firmen, zu dessen lateinischem Vorbild auch Firma und Firmament gehören; ein… … Etymologisches Wörterbuch der deutschen sprache
firm — adverb is used mainly in two fixed expressions, to stand firm and to hold firm to. In all other contexts the natural adverbial form is firmly: The bracket was firmly fixed to the wall … Modern English usage

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firm

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New Dictionary of Synonyms

firm

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