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Added 3 October 2026

firm

/fɜːm/ noun

In Latin: firmus Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about firm at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A business partnership; the name under which it trades.
A business enterprise, however organized.
A criminal gang, especially based around football hooliganism.

adjective

Steadfast, secure, solid (in position)
It's good to have a firm grip when shaking hands.
Fixed (in opinion).
a firm believer; a firm friend; a firm adherent
Insistent upon something, not accepting dissent.
He wanted to stay overnight, but I was firm with him and said he had to leave today.

adverb

firmly, steadily
stand firm

verb

To make firm or strong; fix securely.
To make compact or resistant to pressure; solidify.
To become firm; stabilise.

Origin

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”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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