FIX

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does fix mean? 

• FIX (noun)
  The noun FIX has 5 senses:

1. informal terms for a difficult situation

2. something craved, especially an intravenous injection of a narcotic drug

3. the act of putting something in working order again

4. an exemption granted after influence (e.g., money) is brought to bear

5. a determination of the place where something is

  Familiarity information: FIX used as a noun is common.

• FIX (verb)
  The verb FIX has 12 senses:

1. restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken

2. cause to be firmly attached

3. decide upon or fix definitely

4. prepare for eating by applying heat

5. take vengeance on or get even

6. set or place definitely

7. kill, preserve, and harden (tissue) in order to prepare for microscopic study

8. make fixed, stable or stationary

9. make infertile

10. influence an event or its outcome by illegal means

11. put (something somewhere) firmly

12. make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc

  Familiarity information: FIX used as a verb is familiar.

 Dictionary entry details 

• FIX (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Informal terms for a difficult situation

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Synonyms:

fix; hole; jam; kettle of fish; mess; muddle; pickle

Context example:

he made a muddle of his marriage

Hypernyms ("fix" is a kind of...):

difficulty (a condition or state of affairs almost beyond one's ability to deal with and requiring great effort to bear or overcome)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "fix"):

dog's breakfast; dog's dinner (a poor job; a mess)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Something craved, especially an intravenous injection of a narcotic drug

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Context example:

she needed a fix of chocolate

Hypernyms ("fix" is a kind of...):

intravenous injection (an injection into a vein)

Domain usage:

colloquialism (a colloquial expression; characteristic of spoken or written communication that seeks to imitate informal speech)

Sense 3

Meaning:

The act of putting something in working order again

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

fix; fixing; fixture; mend; mending; repair; reparation

Hypernyms ("fix" is a kind of...):

improvement (the act of improving something)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "fix"):

darning (the act of mending a hole in a garment with crossing threads)

patching (the act of mending a hole in a garment by sewing a patch over it)

care; maintenance; upkeep (activity involved in maintaining something in good working order)

band aid; quick fix; quickie; quicky (hurried repair)

restoration (the act of restoring something or someone to a satisfactory state)

reconstruction (the activity of constructing something again)

restitution (the act of restoring something to its original state)

Derivation:

fix (restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken)

Sense 4

Meaning:

An exemption granted after influence (e.g., money) is brought to bear

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Context example:

collusion resulted in tax fixes for gamblers

Hypernyms ("fix" is a kind of...):

exemption; granting immunity; immunity (an act exempting someone)

Sense 5

Meaning:

A determination of the place where something is

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

fix; localisation; localization; locating; location

Context example:

he got a good fix on the target

Hypernyms ("fix" is a kind of...):

determination; finding (the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "fix"):

echo sounding; echolocation (determining the location of something by measuring the time it takes for an echo to return from it)

• FIX (verb)

Conjugation:

Sense 1

Meaning:

Restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

bushel; doctor; fix; furbish up; mend; repair; restore; touch on

Context example:

Repair my shoes please

Hypernyms (to "fix" is one way to...):

ameliorate; amend; better; improve; meliorate (to make better)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "fix"):

fiddle; tinker (try to fix or mend)

fill (plug with a substance)

patch; piece (repair by adding pieces)

cobble (repair or mend)

point; repoint (repair the joints of bricks)

trouble-shoot; troubleshoot (solve problems)

patch; patch up (mend by putting a patch on)

resole; sole (put a new sole on)

revamp; vamp (provide (a shoe) with a new vamp)

heel; reheel (put a new heel on)

darn (repair by sewing)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sentence example:

The men fix the chairs

Derivation:

fix (the act of putting something in working order again)

fixer (a skilled worker who mends or repairs things)

fixing; fixture (the act of putting something in working order again)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Cause to be firmly attached

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Synonyms:

fasten; fix; secure

Context example:

she fixed her gaze on the man

Hypernyms (to "fix" is one way to...):

attach (cause to be attached)

Cause:

fasten (become fixed or fastened)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "fix"):

strap (secure (a sprained joint) with a strap)

bind; tie (fasten or secure with a rope, string, or cord)

rig (connect or secure to)

bitt (secure with a bitt)

latch (fasten with a latch)

garter (fasten with or as if with a garter)

chain (fasten or secure with chains)

cable (fasten with a cable)

picket (fasten with a picket)

rope up (attach to one another, for safety)

cinch; girth (tie a cinch around)

bandage; bind (wrap around with something so as to cover or enclose)

cramp (secure with a cramp)

cleat (secure on a cleat)

anchor; cast anchor; drop anchor (secure a vessel with an anchor)

anchor; ground (fix firmly and stably)

moor (secure with cables or ropes)

berth; moor; tie up (secure in or as if in a berth or dock)

spike (secure with spikes)

run up; sew; sew together; stitch (fasten by sewing; do needlework)

crank (fasten with a crank)

noose (secure with a noose)

chock (secure with chocks)

brad (fasten with brads)

bight (fasten with a bight)

belay (fasten a boat to a bitt, pin, or cleat)

belay (turn a rope round an object or person in order to secure it or him)

bar (secure with, or as if with, bars)

clamp (fasten or fix with a clamp)

velcro (fasten with Velcro)

stay (fasten with stays)

clinch (flatten the ends (of nails and rivets))

clinch (secure or fasten by flattening the ends of nails or bolts)

lock (fasten with a lock)

lock up (secure by locking)

hasp (secure or lock with a hasp)

zip; zip up; zipper (close with a zipper)

tack (fasten with tacks)

string (string together; tie or fasten with a string)

hook (fasten with a hook)

belt (fasten with a belt)

cement (bind or join with or as if with cement)

grout (bind with grout)

staple (secure or fasten with a staple or staples)

rivet (fasten with a rivet or rivets)

button (fasten with buttons)

pin (attach or fasten with pins)

hang; hang up (cause to be hanging or suspended)

hang (place in position as by a hinge so as to allow free movement in one direction)

deposit; lodge; stick; wedge (put, fix, force, or implant)

entrench; intrench (fix firmly or securely)

buckle; clasp (fasten with a buckle or buckles)

brooch; clasp (fasten with or as if with a brooch)

stake (tie or fasten to a stake)

wire (fasten with wire)

coapt (fit tightly and fasten)

joggle (fasten or join with a joggle)

joint (fasten with a joint)

toggle (fasten with, or as if with, a toggle)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Somebody ----s something PP

Derivation:

fixture (an object firmly fixed in place (especially in a household))

fixture (the quality of being fixed in place as by some firm attachment)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Decide upon or fix definitely

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

define; determine; fix; limit; set; specify

Context example:

specify the parameters

Hypernyms (to "fix" is one way to...):

choose; pick out; select; take (pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "fix"):

quantify (use as a quantifier)

name (mention and identify by name)

reset (set anew)

define (give a definition for the meaning of a word)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sense 4

Meaning:

Prepare for eating by applying heat

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Synonyms:

cook; fix; make; prepare; ready

Context example:

fix breakfast for the guests, please

Hypernyms (to "fix" is one way to...):

create from raw material; create from raw stuff (make from scratch)

Verb group:

make (gather and light the materials for)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "fix"):

keep; preserve (prevent (food) from rotting)

dress; dress out (kill and prepare for market or consumption)

deglaze (dissolve cooking juices or solid food in (a pan) by adding liquid and stirring)

escallop; scallop (bake in a sauce, milk, etc., often with breadcrumbs on top)

flambe (pour liquor over and ignite (a dish))

put on (put on the stove or ready for cooking)

devil (coat or stuff with a spicy paste)

precook (cook beforehand so that the actual preparation won't take long)

whip up; whomp up (prepare or cook quickly or hastily)

concoct; cook up (prepare or cook by mixing ingredients)

lard (prepare or cook with lard)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sentence example:

The chefs fix the vegetables

Sense 5

Meaning:

Take vengeance on or get even

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Synonyms:

fix; get; pay back; pay off

Context example:

This time I got him

Hypernyms (to "fix" is one way to...):

get back; get even (take revenge or even out a score)

Verb group:

pay (make a compensation for)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody
Somebody ----s somebody PP

Sense 6

Meaning:

Set or place definitely

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Context example:

Let's fix the date for the party!

Hypernyms (to "fix" is one way to...):

constitute; establish; found; institute; plant (set up or lay the groundwork for)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Sense 7

Meaning:

Kill, preserve, and harden (tissue) in order to prepare for microscopic study

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "fix" is one way to...):

fix; gear up; prepare; ready; set; set up (make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc)

Domain category:

cytology (the branch of biology that studies the structure and function of cells)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

fixing ((histology) the preservation and hardening of a tissue sample to retain as nearly as possible the same relations they had in the living body)

Sense 8

Meaning:

Make fixed, stable or stationary

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

fix; fixate

Context example:

let's fix the picture to the frame

Hypernyms (to "fix" is one way to...):

attach (cause to be attached)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Sense 9

Meaning:

Make infertile

Classified under:

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care

Synonyms:

desex; desexualise; desexualize; fix; sterilise; sterilize; unsex

Context example:

in some countries, people with genetically transmissible disabilites are sterilized

Hypernyms (to "fix" is one way to...):

operate; operate on (perform surgery on)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "fix"):

alter; castrate; neuter; spay (remove the ovaries of)

castrate; demasculinise; demasculinize; emasculate (remove the testicles of a male animal)

vasectomise; vasectomize (remove the vas deferens)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s somebody

Derivation:

fixing (the sterilization of an animal)

Sense 10

Meaning:

Influence an event or its outcome by illegal means

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Context example:

fix a race

Hypernyms (to "fix" is one way to...):

act upon; influence; work (have and exert influence or effect)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sense 11

Meaning:

Put (something somewhere) firmly

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Synonyms:

deposit; fix; posit; situate

Context example:

fix your eyes on this spot

Hypernyms (to "fix" is one way to...):

lay; place; pose; position; put; set (put into a certain place or abstract location)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "fix"):

bury (place in the earth and cover with soil)

sediment (deposit as a sediment)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody PP
Somebody ----s something PP

Sense 12

Meaning:

Make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

fix; gear up; prepare; ready; set; set up

Context example:

I was fixing to leave town after I paid the hotel bill

Hypernyms (to "fix" is one way to...):

alter; change; modify (cause to change; make different; cause a transformation)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "fix"):

socialise; socialize (prepare for social life)

provide (take measures in preparation for)

cram (prepare (students) hastily for an impending exam)

precondition (put into the required condition beforehand)

fix (kill, preserve, and harden (tissue) in order to prepare for microscopic study)

mount (fix onto a backing, setting, or support)

lay out; set; set up (get ready for a particular purpose or event)

winterise; winterize (prepare for winter)

summerise; summerize (prepare for summer)

prime (insert a primer into (a gun, mine, or charge) preparatory to detonation or firing)

crop; cultivate; work (prepare for crops)

brace; poise (prepare (oneself) for something unpleasant or difficult)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody PP
Somebody ----s something PP
Somebody ----s to INFINITIVE

 Context examples 

Their study claimed KRACK affects every modern device using Wi-Fi; it can be fixed by a software update.

(Digital security researchers publicly reveal vulnerability in WPA2 WiFi protocol, Wikinews)

At the stern order the buzz ceased, and fifty pairs of blue, black, gray, and brown eyes were obediently fixed upon his awful countenance.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

To understand how fixed nitrogen may have been deposited in the crater, researchers needed to recreate the early Martian atmosphere here on Earth.

(Asteroids, Hydrogen Make Great Recipe for Life on Mars, NASA)

It was for the second evening after our arrival that the great meeting had been fixed.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

However, many of these methods involve harsh chemicals that fix, or freeze, cells in an unnatural state or damage living cells after multiple stains have been applied.

(Scientists teach computers how to analyze brain cells, National Institutes of Health)

Mr. Rivers now closed his book, approached the table, and, as he took a seat, fixed his blue pictorial-looking eyes full on me.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

The participants to the study were placed on a fixed diet and allowed either a normal 8.5 hours of sleep or a restricted 4.5 hours of sleep for 4 consecutive days.

(Molecular ties between lack of sleep and weight gain, NIH)

WASP-12b has a fixed day side and night side because it orbits so close to the star that it is tidally locked.

(Hubble Captures Blistering Pitch-Black Planet, NASA)

The daughter had sat quite silent and still during this speech, with her eyes fixed on the ground; her cousin standing near her, and looking on the ground too.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

With just 24 of the Cyanothece genes, Synechocystis was able to fix nitrogen at a rate of more than 30 percent of Cyanothece.

(Bacteria Used to Create Fertilizer Out of Thin Air, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)