firmness
gb/fˈɚmnəs/ us/fˈɚmnəs/
B2
English
~ 6700
keménység, szilárdság, határozottság, állhatatosság, következetesség, szigor, stabilitás, árszilárdság
NOUN
B2
1
keménység
B1
szilárdság
B2
Usage pattern:
the firmness of [something]
The firmness of the mattress helped relieve his back pain.
A matrac keménysége segített enyhíteni a hátfájását.
Check the fruit for firmness before you buy it.
Vásárlás előtt ellenőrizd a gyümölcs keménységét.
Regular exercise can improve muscle tone and firmness.
She admired the firmness of the clay as it began to dry.
The doctor pressed on the swelling to test its firmness.
Learner examples
I like the firmness of this bed.
Tetszik ennek az ágynak a keménysége.
Touch the peach and feel its firmness.
Tapintsd meg az őszibarackot, és érezd a keménységét.
The cream promises better skin firmness.
After training, he noticed more firmness in his arms.
Good shoes should have some firmness in the heel.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "firmness" with "stiffness." "Firmness" is usually positive and suggests healthy or comfortable resistance (a firm mattress, firm muscles), while "stiffness" often suggests discomfort or lack of flexibility (a stiff neck, stiff joints).
Meaning
physical solidity or hardness
Collocations
firmness of the mattress
|skin firmness
|muscle firmness
|firmness and elasticity
|test for firmness
Synonyms
hardness (Emphasizes resistance to pressure more strongly and is slightly more technical or scientific.)
|
solidity (Focuses on being dense and solid rather than soft or hollow.)
Antonyms
softness (Describes a surface or material that is easily pressed in or shaped.)
|
looseness (Emphasizes not being tight or compact, often used for muscles or materials.)
Themes
physical
|health
|daily life
|science
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The quality of something being firm, not soft or loose when you touch or press it.
The physical quality of being solid, compact, and not soft or easily pressed in.
NOUN
B2
2
Usage pattern:
firmness in [attitude/action]
She handled the difficult questions with calmness and firmness.
Nyugalommal és határozottsággal kezelte a nehéz kérdéseket.
The leader's firmness in defending human rights won him international respect.
Az emberi jogok védelmében tanúsított határozottsága nemzetközi elismerést hozott számára.
He showed great firmness in refusing the bribe.
Their lawyer's firmness during the talks helped secure a fair agreement.
Parents admired the principal's firmness in applying the school's rules.
Learner examples
The manager spoke with firmness but stayed polite.
A vezető határozottan beszélt, de udvarias maradt.
She showed firmness and did not change her answer.
Határozottságot mutatott, és nem változtatta meg a válaszát.
We need some firmness if we want this plan to work.
His firmness helped the team stay focused.
They respect her firmness on safety issues.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "firmness" with "confidence." "Firmness" is about not changing your decision or position, especially under pressure, while "confidence" is about how sure you feel about yourself. You can speak with confidence but without firmness if you are still open to changing your mind.
Meaning
strength and stability of character
Collocations
show firmness
|firmness of character
|moral firmness
|firmness in negotiations
|with firmness and clarity
Synonyms
determination (Stresses a strong desire to achieve something, often over time.)
|
resolve (Highlights a clear inner decision not to give up or change one’s mind.)
Antonyms
weakness (Suggests lack of strength in character or will, especially when under pressure.)
|
indecision (Focuses on the inability to choose or commit to a position.)
Themes
character
|work
|politics
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The quality of being strong and sure in your ideas or plans, and not changing them easily.
A strong and steady quality in a person's character that makes them stick to their decisions or beliefs and not be easily influenced or discouraged.
NOUN
B2
3
Usage pattern:
firmness with [people]
Good teachers combine warmth with firmness in the classroom.
A jó tanárok az osztályteremben a kedvességet határozottsággal ötvözik.
The new coach's firmness quickly improved the team's discipline.
Az új edző határozottsága gyorsan javított a csapat fegyelmén.
Her parents treated her with love and firmness, setting clear limits.
The supervisor's firmness in dealing with lateness sent a clear message.
A little firmness early on can prevent bigger problems later.
Learner examples
Children need both kindness and firmness.
A gyerekeknek kedvességre és határozottságra is szükségük van.
The teacher showed firmness when the students talked too much.
A tanár határozottságot mutatott, amikor a diákok túl sokat beszélgettek.
His lack of firmness made the class noisy.
The boss used firmness to stop the rude behavior.
With more firmness, the rules would be clear.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use only "strict" or "hard" instead of "firmness." "Firmness" often suggests a balance of being strict and being fair or caring, especially in parenting or teaching, while "hard" can sound cold and unfriendly.
Meaning
strict but fair control of others
Collocations
love and firmness
|firmness with children
|a certain firmness
|firmness in dealing with staff
|show firmness as a parent
Synonyms
strictness (Focuses on following rules closely, and can sound harsher than "firmness.")
|
discipline (Emphasizes control and training of behavior, not just the manner of doing it.)
Antonyms
leniency (Suggests being too kind or not strict enough about rules or bad behavior.)
|
permissiveness (Describes allowing too much freedom and not setting clear limits.)
Themes
parenting
|education
|work
|relationships
Definition
The way of being strict and not allowing bad behavior, but usually in a fair or kind way.
The quality of being strict and not allowing bad behavior, while often still being fair or caring, especially when managing children, students, or employees.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
4
Usage pattern:
firmness of [prices/markets]
There was continued firmness in oil prices throughout the week.
Az olajárak egész héten továbbra is szilárdak maradtak.
Analysts were surprised by the firmness of the housing market.
Az elemzőket meglepte a lakáspiac szilárdsága.
The currency showed new firmness after the central bank's announcement.
Shares closed with slight gains, reflecting general firmness in the sector.
Despite global uncertainty, the firmness of local demand supported small businesses.
Learner examples
The report notes the recent firmness of food prices.
A jelentés felhívja a figyelmet az élelmiszerárak utóbbi időben tapasztalt szilárdságára.
Bankers expect firmness in the market this year.
A bankárok idén a piac szilárdságára számítanak.
Thanks to the firmness of demand, sales stayed high.
The firmness of the dollar helped importers.
Investors watched the firmness of stock prices closely.
Common mistake:
Learners may try to say "the prices are firm" when they mean "prices are stable" or "prices are not going down." In business news, "firmness" usually suggests that prices are holding up well, not just staying the same.
Meaning
stability or strength of prices
Collocations
firmness of prices
|market firmness
|continued firmness in the dollar
|showed renewed firmness
|period of firmness
Synonyms
stability (General term for not changing much; in finance it can include both strong and neutral levels.)
|
strength (Highlights that prices or markets are high or positive, not just stable.)
Antonyms
weakness (In market language, describes falling prices or poor performance.)
|
volatility (Emphasizes frequent and often sharp changes up and down.)
Themes
business
|economics
|finance
Definition
A situation where prices or markets stay strong and do not go down.
A state in which prices, markets, or similar economic measures remain strong and do not fall, often after a period of change or uncertainty.
Grammar
Dictionary form
firmness
IPA
GB/fˈɚmnəs/
US/fˈɚmnəs/
Syllables & stress
firm - ness (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (firm)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: firmness
- Plural: firmness, firmnesses
Word family
Expressions
love and firmness
1/lˈʌv ˈænd fˈɚmnəs/
fixed phrase
combination of care and strictness
A way of dealing with people, especially children, that is kind and loving but also clear and strict about rules.
Examples
- Many experts say parents should raise children with love and firmness.
- Good coaches use a mix of love and firmness to guide their teams.
show firmness
1/ʃˈoʊ fˈɚmnəs/
fixed phrase
demonstrate a firm attitude
To behave in a way that makes other people see that you are firm and will not change your decision easily.
Examples
- Leaders must show firmness when they deal with corruption.
- If you don't show firmness from the start, the rules will be ignored.
with firmness
1/wˈɪθ fˈɚmnəs/
fixed phrase
in a firm and strict way
To speak or act in a way that is strong, clear, and not easy to change.
Examples
- She answered the question with firmness, leaving no doubt about her position.
- The teacher spoke with firmness, and the class quickly became quiet.