fix
FIHKS
Fix (verb) means to repair something that is broken or not working properly. Example: “Can you fix the leaking tap?”
verb
1
To repair something that is broken or not working properly.
"Can you fix the leaking tap?"
"The mechanic fixed the car in an hour."
"The plumber came round this morning to fix the broken boiler."
2
To attach or secure something firmly in place.
"They fixed the shelf to the wall with brackets."
"Fix the poster to the board with four small drawing pins."
"She fixed a new lock to the front gate."
3
To prepare food or drink.
"Let me fix you a sandwich."
"I'll fix some dinner while you finish your homework."
"Would you like me to fix a pot of tea?"
4
To dishonestly arrange the outcome of a contest or event in advance.
"Investigators suspected the match had been fixed."
"The boxer admitted he had agreed to fix the fight."
"Someone tried to fix the raffle so that his cousin would win."
noun
1
A solution to a problem.
"The engineers found a quick fix for the software bug."
"Restarting the router is usually an easy fix for slow internet."
"There is no simple fix for a problem this large."
2
A difficult or awkward situation.
"Missing the last train left them in quite a fix."
"I'm in a bit of a fix because I have lost my keys."
"The late delivery put the bakery in a real fix before the wedding."
3
(informal) A dose of a drug, or something that satisfies a craving.
"He needs his morning coffee fix."
"After a week without sweets, she finally got her chocolate fix."
"Reading a few pages before bed is his nightly fix of calm."
How to use fix
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo repair, attach firmly, arrange, or (as a noun) a solution or a tricky situation.
Common mistake
In American English "fix" often means "prepare food" ("fix dinner"), a usage that sounds odd in British English, where "fix" usually just means "repair" or "arrange."
Common pairings
fix a problem
quick fix
fix a meal
in a fix
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Word forms
- Plural
- fixes
- Third person singular
- fixes
- Past tense
- fixt, fixed
- Archaic forms
- fixest, fixedst, fixeth
- Verb form
- fixe
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Can you _____ the leaking tap?
Etymology
From Latin fixus, "fastened, immovable," the past participle of figere, "to fasten or drive in" — the same root gives us "fixture."
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “fix” mean?
The word “fix” means to repair something that is broken or not working properly. In plain terms, to repair, attach firmly, arrange, or (as a noun) a solution or a tricky situation.
How do you pronounce “fix”?
“Fix” is pronounced FIHKS (/ˈfɪks/ in IPA).
How do you use “fix” in a sentence?
Here is “fix” used in a sentence: “Can you fix the leaking tap?”
What is another word for “fix”?
Words with a similar meaning to “fix” include impale, run through, stick, join, put together and unite.
What is the opposite of “fix”?
The opposite of “fix” — its antonyms — are move and change.
What part of speech is “fix”?
Depending on how it is used, “fix” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “fix” come from?
The word “fix” comes from Latin. From Latin fixus, "fastened, immovable," the past participle of figere, "to fasten or drive in" — the same root gives us "fixture.".
Is “fix” a common word?
“Fix” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between fix and repair?
Fix and repair both mean to make something broken work again, and they are often interchangeable. Repair is slightly more formal and usually applies to physical objects or structures. Fix is more casual and flexible, so you can fix a car, fix a problem, or fix a mistake, covering a far wider range of situations.
What are the other meanings of fix?
Fix has several senses beyond repairing. It can mean to fasten something in place ('fix a shelf to the wall'), to arrange or decide ('fix a date'), to prepare ('fix a meal'), or to correct ('fix an error'). Informally, fix can also mean to rig a result unfairly, as in a fixed match.
What is the difference between fix and mend?
Both mean to repair, but mend is usually reserved for softer or smaller items, especially fabric, clothing, or something torn: you mend a sock or a fence. Fix is broader and applies to machines, gadgets, and abstract problems alike. Mend also carries a gentle sense of healing, as in 'mend a friendship'.
What is the opposite of fix?
The opposite of fix, in the sense of repairing, is to break, damage, or ruin. If fixing makes something work again, breaking stops it working. When fix means to fasten in place, the opposite is to loosen or detach. As always, the antonym depends on which meaning of fix you intend.
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