noun · formal
firmness
UK/ˈfɜːmnəs/US/ˈfɜːrmnəs/FIRM·ness
the quality of being strong, steady, or resolute; the state of being firm
Examples
“The manager's firmness in enforcing rules improved discipline.”
“The mattress has a good level of firmness.”
“Firmness of purpose helped her complete the study on time.”
Band 8 sentence
“Her firmness in upholding ethical standards earned her colleagues' respect, even when decisions were unpopular.”
Collocations
- firmness in
- show firmness
- level of firmness
Word family
Common mistakes
She need firmness in decision.→She needs firmness in decision-making.
The firmnesses of the chairs are different.→The firmness of the chairs differs.
Say it for a higher band
5strength→6stability→7+firmness
Synonyms
resoluteness
stability
Easily confused
resoluteness
“His resoluteness meant he would not change his plan.”
stability
“Economic stability is key to long-term growth.”
Related words
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In -ness
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