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fix

v. · n.
US //ˈfɪks// UK //fˈɪks// fix
  1. 1 to repair (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    to repair something that is broken or not working correctly.

    to restore something to a functional or correct state.

    Example

    I need to find someone who can fix the leaking pipe in the bathroom.

    Example

    The technician spent several hours trying to fix the server error before realizing the hardware was completely obsolete.
  2. 2 to decide or set (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to agree on a specific time, date, or price.

    to establish or agree upon a specific value, time, or location.

    Example

    We should fix a date for our next meeting before everyone leaves.

    Example

    The two companies agreed to fix the price of the contract to avoid future fluctuations in the market.
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  1. 3 to prepare food (v.)
    B1 Intermediate Informal American English Cooking

    to prepare a meal or a drink for someone.

    to prepare or provide food or refreshment. Often used ditransitively.

    Example

    Let me fix you a quick sandwich while you wait for the taxi.

    Example

    She offered to fix a drink for the guests while the host finished preparing the main course in the kitchen.
  2. 4 to cheat (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to change the result of a game or election dishonestly.

    to arrange the outcome of a contest or process dishonestly in advance.

    Example

    The fans were angry because they believed the boxing match was fixed.

    Example

    Evidence emerged suggesting that several officials had conspired to fix the election results in favor of the incumbent candidate.
  3. 5 to make permanent (v.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Science

    to make something stable or permanent, like a chemical or a photograph.

    to convert into a stable or permanent form; in biology, to convert atmospheric nitrogen into organic compounds.

    Example

    Plants fix nitrogen from the air into the soil to help them grow.

    Example

    The photographer used a chemical bath to fix the image on the paper so it would not fade in the light.
  4. 6 a difficult situation (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    a difficult or embarrassing situation that is hard to get out of.

    a predicament or a difficult situation requiring a solution.

    Example

    I forgot my passport at home, so I am in a bit of a fix.

    Example

    The sudden cancellation of the funding left the research team in a terrible fix just weeks before the project was due to start.
  5. 7 a quick solution (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a quick or temporary solution to a problem.

    a solution or repair, often one that is implemented quickly or as a temporary measure.

    Example

    This software update is just a quick fix for the security problem.

    Example

    The government was criticized for offering a short-term fix rather than addressing the underlying causes of the economic crisis.
  6. 8 a dose of a drug (n.)
    C1 Advanced Slang Informal

    an amount of a drug that someone takes, or something you need very much.

    a single dose of a narcotic drug; figuratively, a necessary or habitual experience of something.

    Example

    He needs his morning fix of caffeine before he can start working.

    Example

    The addict was desperate for a fix, showing the physical symptoms of withdrawal as the hours passed.
  7. 9 a position (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Science

    a measurement of where you are, used in ships or planes.

    a determination of a position, typically through navigational or astronomical observations.

    Example

    The pilot took a fix on the stars to check the plane's position.

    Example

    Without a reliable GPS signal, the captain had to rely on a radio fix to navigate the ship through the fog.
Origin

From Middle English fixen, borrowed from Old French fixer (attested only as ficher, fichier; > English fitch), from fix (“fastened; fixed”), from Latin fīxus (“immovable; steady; stable; fixed”), from fīgō (“to drive in; stick; fasten”), from Proto-Indo-European dʰeygʷ- (“to jab; stick; set”). Related to dig.

Word family
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