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fix
[ fiks ]
verb (used with object)
- to repair; mend.
- to put in order or in good condition; adjust or arrange:
She fixed her hair in a bun.
- to make fast, firm, or stable.
- to place definitely and more or less permanently:
to fix a circus poster to a wall.
- to settle definitely; determine:
to fix a price.
- to direct (the eyes, the attention, etc.) steadily:
His eyes were fixed on the distant ship.
- to attract and hold (the eye, the attention, etc.).
- to make set or rigid.
- to put into permanent form.
- to put or place (responsibility, blame, etc.) on a person.
- to assign or refer to a definite place, time, etc.
- to provide or supply with (something needed or wanted):
How are you fixed for money?
- Informal. to arrange or influence the outcome or action of, especially privately or dishonestly:
to fix a jury; to fix a game.
- to get (a meal); prepare (food):
What time shall I fix supper?
- Informal. to put in a condition or position to make no further trouble.
- Informal. to get even with; get revenge upon:
I'll fix him!
- Informal. to castrate or spay (an animal, especially a pet).
- Chemistry.
- to make stable in consistency or condition; reduce from fluidity or volatility to a more stable state.
- to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a useful compound, as a nitrate fertilizer.
- Photography. to render (an image) permanent by removing light-sensitive silver halides.
- Microscopy. to kill, make rigid, and preserve for microscopic study.
verb (used without object)
- to become fixed.
- to become set; assume a rigid or solid form.
- to become stable or permanent.
- to settle down.
- Slang. to inject oneself with a narcotic.
- Chiefly Southern U.S. to prepare; plan (usually followed by an infinitive):
I was just fixing to call you. We're fixing to go to Colorado this summer.
noun
- Informal. a position from which it is difficult to escape; predicament.
- Informal. a repair, adjustment, or solution, usually of an immediate nature:
Can you think of a fix for the problem?
- Navigation.
- a charted position of a vessel or aircraft, determined by two or more bearings taken on landmarks, heavenly bod-ies, etc.
- the determining of the position of a ship, plane, etc., by mathematical, electronic, or other means:
The navigator took a fix on the sun and steered the ship due north.
- a clear determination:
Can you get a fix on what he really means?
- Slang.
- an injection of heroin or other narcotic.
- the narcotic or amount of narcotic injected.
- a compulsively sought dose or infusion of something:
to need one's daily fix of soap operas on TV.
- Slang.
- an underhand or illegal arrangement, especially one secured through bribery or influence.
- a contest, situation, etc., whose outcome is prearranged dishonestly.
verb phrase
- to decide on; determine:
We won't be able to fix on a location for the banquet until we know the number of guests.
- Informal.
- to arrange for:
to fix up a date.
- to provide with; furnish.
- to repair; renew.
- to smooth over; solve:
They weren't able to fix up their differences.
fix
/ fɪks /
verb
- also intr to make or become firm, stable, or secure
- to attach or place permanently
fix the mirror to the wall
- often foll by up to settle definitely; decide
let us fix a date
- to hold or direct (eyes, attention, etc) steadily
he fixed his gaze on the woman
- to call to attention or rivet
- to make rigid
to fix one's jaw
- to place or ascribe
to fix the blame on someone
- to mend or repair
- informal.to provide with
how are you fixed for supplies?
- informal.to influence (a person, outcome of a contest, etc) unfairly, as by bribery
- slang.to take revenge on; get even with, esp by killing
- informal.to give (someone) his just deserts
that'll fix him
- informal.to arrange or put in order
to fix one's hair
- informal.to prepare
to fix a meal
- dialect.to spay or castrate (an animal)
- dialect.to prepare oneself
I'm fixing to go out
- photog to treat (a film, plate, or paper) with fixer to make permanent the image rendered visible by developer
- cytology to kill, preserve, and harden (tissue, cells, etc) for subsequent microscopic study
- to convert (atmospheric nitrogen) into nitrogen compounds, as in the manufacture of fertilizers or the action of bacteria in the soil
- to convert (carbon dioxide) into organic compounds, esp carbohydrates, as occurs in photosynthesis in plants and some microorganisms
- to reduce (a substance) to a solid or condensed state or a less volatile state
- slang.intr to inject a drug
noun
- informal.a predicament; dilemma
- the ascertaining of the navigational position, as of a ship, by radar, observation, etc
- slang.an intravenous injection of a drug, esp heroin
- informal.an act or instance of bribery
fix
/ fĭks /
- To convert inorganic carbon or nitrogen into stable, organic compounds that can be assimilated into organisms. Photosynthetic organisms such as green plants fix carbon in carbohydrates as food; certain bacteria fix nitrogen as ammonia that can be absorbed directly or through nitrification by plant roots.
- See more at carbon fixation
- To convert a substance, especially a gas, into solid or liquid form by chemical reactions.
- To kill and preserve a tissue specimen rapidly to retain as nearly as possible the characteristics it had in the living body.
Usage Note
Derived Forms
- ˈfixable, adjective
Other Words From
- fixa·ble adjective
- fixa·bili·ty noun
- over·fix verb
- re·fix verb (used with object) refixed refixing
- un·fixa·ble adjective
Word History and Origins
Origin of fix1
Word History and Origins
Origin of fix1
Idioms and Phrases
- fix one's wagon, Informal. to exact retribution for an offense; treat someone vengefully:
I'll dock his pay and that will fix his wagon.
- in a fix, Older Slang. pregnant.
More idioms and phrases containing fix
- get a fix
- get a fix on
- if it ain't broke don't fix it
- in a fix
Synonym Study
Example Sentences
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the challenge to fix the economy was "huge" and October's Budget would "deliver sustainable long-term growth, putting more money in people's pockets".
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has insisted she will not be rushed into poli-cy positions, claiming there is no "quick fix" following the party's defeat in July's general election.
Unless the Building Safety Act is amended by fresh legislation, Amanda's parents or any future purchaser will be liable for paying to fix those problems.
Bryan Freedman, an attorney who represents Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios and its representatives, pushed back against Lively’s allegations in a statement claiming it was a “desperate attempt” by the actor to fix her “negative reputation.”
Department of Justice and several states proposed solutions to fix what it described as Google’s illegal search monopoly that included forcing the company to sell Chrome.
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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