firm

22 synonyms and 6 antonyms for firm, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A business, especially one run as a partnership, such as a law or accounting practice.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

company business practice partnership agency enterprise decided house strong solid steady fast

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

outfit stiff loyal

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

unfaltering unfluctuating unbendable truehearted immobile steadfast tauten

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A business, especially one run as a partnership, such as a law or accounting practice.

“My brother works for a small architecture firm in the city.”

company business practice partnership agency enterprise outfit decided house

2. adj

Solid and steady; not easily moved, shaken, or changed.

“The ladder stood on firm ground, so I felt safe climbing it.”

strong unfaltering solid steady unfluctuating unbendable truehearted stiff immobile steadfast loyal fast

Opposites

wishy-washy weak loose capricious

3. adj

Hard or resistant to pressure, describing texture.

“The avocado should feel slightly firm when you press it gently.”

Opposites

soft flaccid

4. verb

To make something solid, stable, or resistant to pressure.

“Press the soil down gently to firm it around the new plant.”

tauten

How to use firm

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

law firm firm grip firm decision firm mattress

Etymology

From Italian firma ("signature"), from Latin firmus ("stable, strong"); the business sense developed in the 1700s from the idea of a name a company trades and signs under.

Full origin of firm →

Frequently asked questions

What does “firm” mean?

The word “firm” means a business, especially one run as a partnership, such as a law or accounting practice. In plain terms, as a noun, a company (often professional services); as an adjective, solid, steady, and not easily swayed.

How do you pronounce “firm”?

“Firm” is pronounced furm (/fɜɹm/ in IPA).

How do you use “firm” in a sentence?

Here is “firm” used in a sentence: “She made partner at the law firm after eight years.”

What is another word for “firm”?

Words with a similar meaning to “firm” include decided.

What part of speech is “firm”?

Depending on how it is used, “firm” can be a noun, an adjective and a verb.

Where does the word “firm” come from?

The word “firm” dates back to around 1700 and comes from Latin. From Italian firma ("signature"), from Latin firmus ("stable, strong"); the business sense developed in the 1700s from the idea of a name a company trades and signs under.

Is “firm” a common word?

“Firm” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

How many meanings does “firm” have?

“Firm” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a business, especially one run as a partnership, such as a law or accounting practice.

What is the difference between a firm and a company?

The words overlap, but a 'firm' traditionally means a business built on a partnership, especially in professional services like law, accountancy, or consultancy. A 'company' is any commercial organisation, usually incorporated with shareholders. All firms are businesses, but people rarely call a factory or a shop a 'firm'.

What are examples of firms?

Typical firms are professional practices: a law firm, an accounting firm, a consulting firm, or an architecture firm. These are usually partnerships where several qualified professionals share ownership and profits. The word suits service-based businesses more than manufacturers or retailers, which are more often called companies.

Is a firm the same as a business?

A firm is a type of business, but not every business is called a firm. 'Business' is the widest term, covering everything from a market stall to a multinational. 'Firm' usually implies a professional partnership offering services. So a firm is always a business, but the reverse is not always true.

People also searched

house business company strong fast decided practice agency solid weak soft loose

Nearby words

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