# firmness

/ˈfɝmnəs/ (US) · /fˈɜːmnəs/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/firmness
Updated: 2026-05-25

## Definition

the quality of being solid and hard, or the quality of being strong and not easily changed. You use this to describe how a mattress feels or how a person stands up for their beliefs.

For teachers: the quality of being solid, hard, or resistant to pressure; also refers to the quality of being resolute or determined in one's actions or beliefs.

## Examples

- The mattress has a perfect level of firmness for my back.
- The manager's firmness in refusing the request showed that the company's new safety rules were not to be ignored.
- While the physical firmness of the leather was a testament to its quality, it was the director's moral firmness that truly defined the success of the project.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.