fixed

adjective \ ˈfikst \

Updated on: 28 Nov 2017

Definition of fixed

1 a : securely placed or fastened : stationary

b (1) : nonvolatile

(2) : formed into a chemical compound

c (1) : not subject to change or fluctuation

a fixed income

(2) : firmly set in the mind

a fixed idea

(3) : having a final or crystallized form or character

(4) : recurring on the same date from year to year

fixed holidays

d : immobile, concentrated

a fixed stare

2 : supplied with something (such as money) needed

comfortably fixed

—

fixedly

play \ˈfik-səd-lē, ˈfikst-lē\ adverb

—

fixedness

play \ˈfik-səd-nəs, ˈfiks(t)-nəs\ noun

See fixed defined for English-language learners

See fixed defined for kids

Examples of fixed in a Sentence

a small mirror fixed to the wall
That day remains fixed in my memory.

Recent Examples of fixed from the Web

The first generation headsets from HTC and Oculus all need fixed base stations to be installed in any room using VR.

— peter bright, Ars Technica, "Windows 10 Fall Creators Update: Lots of small changes—and maybe the revolution," 17 Oct. 2017
The Portland Loo is a fixed restroom with a flush toilet that is open 24 hours a day.

— molly sullivan and ryan lillis, sacbee, "Sacramento County scrambles to prevent Hep A outbreak," 5 Oct. 2017
The Pilots Maneuvering a 22-ton fixed-wing aircraft is no easy feat during L.A’.s windy fire season.

— zoie matthew, Los Angeles Magazine, "When Fires Rage in SoCal, This Pair of High-Flying Canadians Comes to the Rescue," 27 Sep. 2017
Because the small districts would be of a fixed size, the number of legislators will vary depending on the state's population.

— john myers, latimes.com, "California could have almost 12,000 legislators as backers of a bold ballot measure submit signatures for 2018," 3 Nov. 2017
Founded in West Bend in 1902 but now headquartered in Chicago with regional and branch offices throughout the U.S., Ziegler provides clients with capital raising, strategic advisory services, equity and fixed income sales and trading, and research.

— paul gores, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Stifel Financial to acquire wealth management business of B.C. Ziegler," 30 Oct. 2017
Would not, in fine, a government depending for its existence beyond a fixed date, on some positive and authentic intervention of the society itself, be too subject to the casualty and consequences of an actual interregnum?

— jay cost, National Review, "Christ Church Should Be Ashamed," 30 Oct. 2017
Sewer rates are proposed to increase by 4.5 percent and the fixed sewer charge is slated to rise by 4.75 percent.

— steve dreyer, Pomerado News, "Poway water, sewer rates proposed to increase," 18 Oct. 2017
Other benefits include avoiding traffic, and not having to pay for gas, parking, or tickets, which is crucial for young people on a fixed budget.

— john greenfield, Chicago Reader, "For Mormon missionaries, spreading the gospel by bike is all about practicality," 27 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fixed.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of fixed

Middle English, from past participle of fixen "to ¹fix" (or directly from Latin fīxus + -ed ²-ed)

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

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fixed Synonyms

Synonyms

certain, determinate, final, firm, flat, frozen, hard, hard-and-fast, inexpugnable, set, settled, stable

Antonyms

alterable, changeable, elastic, flexible, mutable, variable

Related Words

nonadjustable, noncancelable, nonnegotiable, unchangeable; constant, steady, unchanging, uniform, unwavering; definite, exact, explicit, specific; given, stated, stipulated; dependable, good, reliable, responsible, safe, solid, sure, tried, tried-and-true, true, trustworthy, trusty

Near Antonyms

adjustable, changeable, negotiable; indefinite, open-ended, unspecified; capricious, changeful, flickery, fluctuating, fluid, inconstant, mercurial, mutable, temperamental, uncertain, unpredictable, unsettled, unstable, unsteady, variable, volatile

FIXED Defined for English Language Learners

fixed

adjective

Definition of fixed for English Language Learners

—used to describe something that does not change
: placed or attached in a way that does not move easily
: having something needed

FIXED Defined for Kids

fixed

adjective \ ˈfikst \

Definition of fixed for Students

1 : not changing : set

… Phoebe wore a fixed expression …
—Sharon Creech, Walk Two Moons

2 : firmly placed

A mirror is fixed to the wall.

That day is fixed in my memory.

—

fixedly

\ˈfik-səd-lē\ adverb

She was staring fixedly at me.

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See words that rhyme with fixed Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for fixed Spanish Central: Translation of fixed Nglish: Translation of fixed for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of fixed for Arabic speakers

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