firm

A business that sells goods or provides services.

• She works for a small firm.
• The firm hired ten engineers last year.
• Several firms sell similar products.

Similar words: company, business

Common phrases: work for a firm, consulting firm, local firm

A business that sells goods or provides services, especially professional services.

• She works for a law firm.
• The firm hired ten new employees.
• Several local firms offered to help.

Similar words: company, business

Common phrases: law firm, accounting firm, work for a firm, small firm

A business owned by partners, or the name they use for their business.

• The two lawyers formed a firm.
• They trade under the firm name Wilson and Lee.
• Each partner owns a share of the firm.

Similar words: partnership

Common phrases: law firm, accounting firm, firm name

Hard or solid enough to keep its shape or stay securely in place.

• This mattress is quite firm.
• Keep a firm grip on the rope.
• The peaches were still firm yesterday.

Similar words: solid, hard, secure

Opposites: soft, loose

Common phrases: firm grip, firm ground, firm mattress

Clear and determined about what must happen, even when other people disagree.

• Her answer was a firm no.
• The teacher was firm with us.
• He spoke in a firm but friendly voice.

How to use it: be firm with someone (You need to be firm with the children.)

Similar words: strict, resolute

Opposites: lenient

Common phrases: firm with someone, firm refusal, firm tone

Having beliefs or feelings that do not easily change.

• He is a firm believer in fairness.
• Her commitment to the project remains firm.
• They stayed firm in their opposition.

How to use it: firm in something (She remained firm in her belief that the plan would work.)

Similar words: steadfast, unshakable, resolute

Opposites: wavering

Common phrases: firm believer, firm conviction, firm commitment

If betting odds do this, they become shorter because a win seems more likely.

• The odds began to firm before the race.
• Her odds firmed after the strong performance.
• The favourite continued to firm in the betting.

Similar words: shorten

Opposites: drift

Common phrases: odds firm, firm in betting

To accept something unpleasant and keep going without complaining.

• It hurts, but you have to firm it.
• She firmed the pain and kept walking.
• Can you firm it for another minute?

Similar words: endure, bear, put up with

Common phrases: firm it, firm the pain