firmly
FURM-lee
Firmly (adv) means In a strong, steady, or definite way. Example: “Please press the lid down firmly until you hear it click into place.”
adv
1
In a strong, steady, or definite way.
"She corrected him firmly but gently."
"Please press the lid down firmly until you hear it click into place."
"He shook her hand firmly and introduced himself."
"She firmly believes the plan will work."
How to use firmly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDone with strength, steadiness, or conviction.
Common pairings
firmly believe
hold firmly
firmly established
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Word forms
- Comparative
- firmlier, more firmly
- Superlative
- firmliest, most firmly
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Please press the lid down _____ until you hear it click into place.
Etymology
From Middle English fermely, equivalent to firm plus -ly.
Synonyms
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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").
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