firmly
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for firmly, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adv — In a strong, steady, or definite way.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use firmly
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Middle English fermely, equivalent to firm plus -ly.
Full origin of firmly →Frequently asked questions
What does “firmly” mean?
The word “firmly” means in a strong, steady, or definite way. In plain terms, done with strength, steadiness, or conviction.
How do you pronounce “firmly”?
“Firmly” is pronounced FURM-lee (/ˈfɝmli/ in IPA).
How do you use “firmly” in a sentence?
Here is “firmly” used in a sentence: “He shook her hand firmly and introduced himself.”
What part of speech is “firmly”?
“Firmly” is an adverb.
Where does the word “firmly” come from?
The word “firmly” comes from Middle English. From Middle English fermely, equivalent to firm plus -ly.
Is “firmly” a common word?
“Firmly” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between firmly and strongly?
Both intensify, but firmly suggests a steady, settled, controlled manner ("she firmly refused"), while strongly suggests force or intensity ("I strongly recommend"). Some verbs prefer one — you grasp firmly and strongly object — while "firmly believe" and "strongly believe" are both standard.
Where does firmly go in a sentence?
Firmly usually follows the verb or verb phrase it modifies ("she shook his hand firmly", "hold firmly onto the rail") and can also come before the main verb for emphasis ("I firmly refused"). Starting a sentence with it is unusual outside literary style.
Is it "hold firm" or "hold firmly"?
Both are correct but mean slightly different things. "Hold firm" is a set phrase meaning to refuse to yield ("we held firm under pressure"), while "hold firmly" uses the adverb to describe gripping something in a strong, steady way ("hold the ladder firmly").