Firm vs. Steadfast

A business partnership; the name under which it trades.

A business enterprise, however organized.

(slang) A criminal gang, especially based around football hooliganism.

steadfast, secure, hard (in position)

Example: ‘It's good to have a firm grip when shaking hands.’;

fixed (in opinion)

Example: ‘a firm believer; a firm friend; a firm adherent’;

solid, rigid (material state)

Example: ‘firm flesh; firm muscles, firm wood; firm land (i.e. not soft and marshy)’;

(transitive) To make firm or strong; fix securely.

(transitive) To make compact or resistant to pressure; solidify.

(intransitive) To become firm; stabilise.

(intransitive) To improve after decline.

To shorten (of betting odds).

To select (a higher education institution) as one's preferred choice, so as to enrol automatically if one's grades match the conditional offer.

Fixed; hence, closely compressed; compact; substantial; hard; solid; - applied to the matter of bodies; as, firm flesh; firm muscles, firm wood.

Not easily excited or disturbed; unchanging in purpose; fixed; steady; constant; stable; unshaken; not easily changed in feelings or will; strong; as, a firm believer; a firm friend; a firm adherent.

Example: ‘Under spread ensigns, moving nigh, in slowBut firm battalion.’; ‘By one man's firm obediency fully tried.’;

Solid; - opposed to fluid; as, firm land.

Indicating firmness; as, a firm tread; a firm countenance.

The name, title, or style, under which a company transacts business; a partnership of two or more persons; a commercial house; as, the firm of Hope & Co.

To fix; to settle; to confirm; to establish.

Example: ‘And Jove has firmed it with an awful nod.’;

To fix or direct with firmness.

Example: ‘He on his card and compass firms his eye.’;

members of a business organization that owns or operates one or more establishments;

Example: ‘he worked for a brokerage house’;

become taut or tauter;

Example: ‘Yur muscles will firm when you exercise regularly’; ‘the rope tautened’;

make taut or tauter;

Example: ‘tauten a rope’;

marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable;

Example: ‘firm convictions’; ‘a firm mouth’; ‘steadfast resolve’; ‘a man of unbendable perseverence’; ‘unwavering loyalty’;

not soft or yielding to pressure;

Example: ‘a firm mattress’; ‘the snow was firm underfoot’; ‘solid ground’;

strong and sure;

Example: ‘a firm grasp’; ‘gave a strong pull on the rope’;

not subject to revision or change;

Example: ‘a firm contract’; ‘a firm offer’;

(of especially a person's physical features) not shaking or trembling;

Example: ‘his voice was firm and confident’; ‘a firm step’;

not liable to fluctuate or especially to fall;

Example: ‘stocks are still firm’;

securely established;

Example: ‘an established reputation’; ‘holds a firm position as the country's leading poet’;

marked by the tone and resiliency of healthy tissue;

Example: ‘firm muscles’;

pleasingly firm and fresh and making a crunching noise when chewed;

Example: ‘crisp carrot and celery sticks’; ‘a firm apple’; ‘crunchy lettuce’;

securely fixed in place;

Example: ‘the post was still firm after being hit by the car’;

unwavering in devotion to friend or vow or cause;

Example: ‘a firm ally’; ‘loyal supporters’; ‘the true-hearted soldier...of Tippecanoe’; ‘fast friends’;

with resolute determination;

Example: ‘we firmly believed it’; ‘you must stand firm’;

having a solid, almost unyielding surface or structure

Example: ‘the bed should be reasonably firm, but not too hard’;

solidly in place and stable

Example: ‘he was unable to establish the shop on a firm financial footing’; ‘no building can stand without firm foundations’;

having steady but not excessive power or strength

Example: ‘you need a firm grip on the steering’;

showing resolute determination and strength of character

Example: ‘parents should be firm with children and not give in to their demands’;

strongly felt and unlikely to change

Example: ‘he retains a firm belief in the efficacy of prayer’;

steadfast and constant

Example: ‘we became firm friends’;

decided upon and fixed or definite

Example: ‘she had no firm plans for the next day’;

(of a currency, shares, etc.) having a steady value or price which is more likely to rise than fall

Example: ‘the pound was firm against the dollar’;

make more solid or resilient

Example: ‘how can I firm up a sagging bustline?’;

fix (a plant) securely in the soil

Example: ‘don't tread around bushes to firm them’;

make (an agreement or plan) explicit and definite

Example: ‘the agreements still have to be firmed up’;

(of a price) rise slightly to reach a level considered secure

Example: ‘the shares firmed 15p to 620p’; ‘he believed house prices would firm by the end of the year’;

in a resolute and determined manner

Example: ‘the Chancellor has held firm to tough economic policies’; ‘she will stand firm against the government's proposal’;

a business concern, especially one involving a partnership of two or more people

Example: ‘a law firm’; ‘state support for small firms’;

a group of hospital doctors working as a team, headed by a consultant.

an organized group of football supporters known for their aggressive attitudes towards rival fans.

Fixed or unchanging; steady.

Firmly loyal or constant; unswerving.

Firmly fixed or established; fast fixed; firm.

Not fickle or wavering; constant; firm; resolute; unswerving; steady.

Example: ‘Abide steadfast unto him [thy neighbor] in the time of his trouble.’; ‘Whom resist steadfast in the faith.’;

marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable;

Example: ‘firm convictions’; ‘a firm mouth’; ‘steadfast resolve’; ‘a man of unbendable perseverence’; ‘unwavering loyalty’;

firm and dependable especially in loyalty;

Example: ‘a steadfast ally’; ‘a staunch defender of free speech’; ‘unswerving devotion’; ‘unswerving allegiance’;

resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering

Example: ‘steadfast loyalty’;