fix
gb/fˈɪks/ us/fˈɪks/
A2
English
~ 1800
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A2
action
1
Repair something damaged
To make something that is broken or not working good again.
Usage pattern:
to fix [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'fix' with 'set' or 'put', but 'fix' means to repair or make something work again.
Synonyms
repair (More formal and technical; often used for mechanical or professional contexts.)
Antonyms
break (Means to damage or destroy something so it no longer works.)
Collocations
fix a car
|fix a problem
|fix a leak
|fix the roof
|fix the computer
Themes
daily life
|technology
|home
|daily_life
|work
Examples
- I need to fix my phone because the screen is cracked.
- The plumber fixed the leaking pipe in the kitchen.
- She fixed her bike after the chain came off.
- They fixed the broken fence before winter.
- We finally fixed the software bug that was causing errors.
Learner examples
- I will fix my chair.
- He fixed his toy.
- She fixed the door.
- We fix the car every year.
- The man fixed the light.
Verb
B1
action
2
Fasten securely in place
To make something stay in one place by holding or attaching it strongly.
Usage pattern:
to fix [something] to [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with 'repair'; here it means 'attach firmly', not 'make work again'.
Synonyms
secure (Slightly more formal; emphasizes safety and stability.)
Antonyms
loosen (Means to make something less tight or not firmly attached.)
Collocations
fix a poster to the wall
|fix the shelves
|fix a handle to a door
Themes
daily life
|construction
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He fixed the picture to the wall with nails.
- The workers fixed the sign to the pole.
- Please fix your seatbelt before we start driving.
Learner examples
- I fix the paper to the board.
- She fixed her name tag to her shirt.
- We fixed the shelf to the wall.
Verb
B1
action
3
Set or decide firmly
To choose and set a time, date, or place for something.
Usage pattern:
to fix [a time/date/place] for [something]
Common mistake:
Learners might confuse this with 'repair'; here it means 'set something definite'.
Synonyms
schedule (Common in American English; focuses on planning and organizing.)
Antonyms
cancel (Means to call off an arranged event.)
Collocations
fix a meeting
|fix a date
|fix an appointment
Themes
business
|daily life
|time
Examples
- Let's fix a date for our next meeting.
- They fixed the wedding for June 15th.
- We need to fix a time for the interview.
Learner examples
- We fixed a day to meet.
- She fixed a time for lunch.
- They fixed the party for Friday.
Noun
informal
B2
entity
4
Difficult situation needing solution
A problem you must solve quickly.
Synonyms
jam (Informal; emphasizes being stuck or unable to move forward.)
Antonyms
solution (The resolution or answer to a problem.)
Collocations
in a fix
|get into a fix
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I'm in a bit of a fix because I lost my passport.
- She got into a real fix when she missed her train.
- This is quite a fix—we have no money left.
Learner examples
- I am in a fix now.
- He is in a bad fix.
- She was in a fix with no help.
Verb
informal
B1
action
5
Prepare food or drink quickly
To make food or drink fast for someone.
Usage pattern:
to fix [someone] [something]
Synonyms
make (Very general; not limited to quick preparation.)
Collocations
fix breakfast
|fix a sandwich
Themes
food
|daily life
|food_drink
|daily_life
Examples
- I'll fix you some coffee while you wait.
- She fixed herself a quick snack before leaving.
- Can you fix us some lunch?
Learner examples
- I will fix dinner now.
- She fixed me tea.
- He fixed a sandwich for lunch.
Verb
informal
B2
action
6
Arrange outcome dishonestly
To change the result of something like a game so it is not fair.
Usage pattern:
to fix [a game/election/result]
Synonyms
rig (Informal; similar meaning, especially for competitions or votes.)
Antonyms
play fair (Means to compete honestly without cheating.)
Collocations
fix a match
|fix an election
Themes
crime
|sports
|law
|politics
Examples
- They tried to fix the match by bribing the referee.
- The election was fixed to keep him in power.
- Investigators found evidence that the contest had been fixed.
Learner examples
- He fixed the game and won.
- They fixed the match for money.
- The man fixed the election.
Grammar
Dictionary form
fix
IPA
GB/fˈɪks/
US/fˈɪks/
Syllables & stress
fix (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (fix)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: fix
- Plural: fixes
Verb
- Base: fix
- 3rd Person Singular: fixes
- Present Participle: fixing
- Past: fixed
Word family
Forms
fixes
noun
fixing
verb
fixed
verb
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
unfixable
adjective
Advanced or less common
fixation
noun
fixate
verb
Expressions
fix on/upon something
1/fˈɪks ənəpən sˈʌmθɪŋ/
phrasal verb
Decide on one choice after options considered
To choose one thing after thinking about different choices.
Examples
- They finally fixed on the blue design for their logo.
- We've fixed upon July 10th for the meeting.
fix up
1/fˈɪks ˈʌp/
phrasal verb
informal
Improve something or arrange meeting
To make something look better by repairing or decorating it, or to arrange for two people to meet each other socially or romantically.
Examples
- They bought an old house and spent months fixing it up.
- I can fix you up with my friend if you like.
get your fix of something
1/ɡˈɛt jˈʊɹ fˈɪks əv sˈʌmθɪŋ/
idiom
informal
Satisfy regular desire or need for something
To get something you want or need regularly, often because you like it a lot or depend on it.
Examples
- He gets his daily fix of news online every morning.
- She needs to get her fix of chocolate after dinner.
in a fix
1/ˈɪn ə fˈɪks/
idiom
informal
In trouble or difficulty
In a problem that is hard to solve quickly.
Examples
- I'm really in a fix—I locked my keys in the car!
- She found herself in a fix after missing her flight.