Fix

/fɪks/

verbBeginner🔥Very CommonAction
7 meanings3 idioms/phrases4 questions

Definitions

7 meanings
1

To repair or mend something that is broken or damaged.

/fɪks/

verbneutralBeginner
Action

To repair or mend something

Can you fix the leaky roof?

💡 Simply: Imagine your favorite toy breaks! Fixing it means putting it back together so it works again. If your car gets a flat tire, fixing it means putting a new tire on.

👶 For kids: To make something work again when it's broken!

More Examples

2

I need to fix my bike's flat tire.

3

The mechanic is going to fix my car.

How It's Used

General

"I need to fix the broken faucet."

Technical

"The technician fixed the computer's hardware issue."

2

To prepare or make something, particularly food or drink.

/fɪks/

verbneutralmedium
Action

To prepare food or drink

She fixed a delicious dinner for the family.

💡 Simply: When you 'fix' something, it can also mean to make it, like when you fix a sandwich or make a cup of coffee. If you 'fix' a drink, you're preparing it.

👶 For kids: To make some food or drink!

More Examples

2

Can you fix me a cup of coffee?

3

I'll fix a snack for us.

How It's Used

Culinary

"He fixed himself a quick lunch."

Informal

"I'm going to fix a drink before the guests arrive."

Tip:Think of "fixing" a meal.
3

To decide or arrange something firmly and definitely.

/fɪks/

verbneutralmedium
Action

To settle or arrange something definitely

Let's fix a time to meet next week.

💡 Simply: When you fix something, you're putting it in place. So, if you fix a date for a party, it's set in stone. No changing it!

👶 For kids: To decide something for sure!

More Examples

2

They fixed the price of the product.

3

The schedule has already been fixed.

How It's Used

Planning

"They fixed the date for the wedding."

Agreements

"We need to fix the terms of the contract."

Tip:Think of "fixing" the details for a plan.
4

To provide someone or something with something, especially in a specific manner or to a specified level. Often used to describe something given to a person, or to give something an aspect/property

/fɪks/

verbneutralAdvanced
Action

To provide with (something that is needed or desired)

She fixed him with a curious stare.

💡 Simply: If you 'fix' someone with a gaze, you're giving them a particular look. If you 'fix' a painting, you're applying a specific technique to it. This usage also indicates an intense look or an application of something

👶 For kids: To add something like giving a look or giving a thing an attribute

More Examples

2

He fixed his gaze on the distant horizon.

3

The composer fixed the piece with an emotional tone.

How It's Used

Informal

"He fixed her with a stern look."

Descriptive

"The artist fixed the painting with vibrant colors."

Tip:Think of "fixing" a gaze.
5

A difficult or awkward situation.

/fɪks/

nounnegativemedium
Situation

A situation that is difficult to resolve

They were in a real fix after the car broke down.

💡 Simply: Sometimes life throws you a problem, that can be described as a 'fix'!

👶 For kids: A bad situation.

More Examples

2

I don't know how we'll get out of this fix.

3

The unexpected expenses put the company in a fix.

How It's Used

Informal

"We're in a bit of a fix with the budget."

Tip:Think of the fix as a situation that needs to be 'fixed'.
6

A dose of a drug, especially an addictive one.

/fɪks/

nounnegativeAdvanced
Drug Use

A dose of a drug

He needed a fix of heroin.

💡 Simply: A 'fix' of drugs is another way of expressing the dose of an addictive substance.

👶 For kids: A dose of some drugs.

More Examples

2

She was craving a fix.

3

They were searching for their daily fix.

How It's Used

Informal

"He needed his fix."

Tip:Think of the fix as the action of fixing something.
7

The act of repairing, or a result of the act of repair or remedy.

/fɪks/

nounneutralmedium
Result

The result of fixing or setting something

The mechanic's fix solved the problem.

💡 Simply: It's what you achieve when fixing things.

👶 For kids: The thing that is done to make it work.

More Examples

2

The software update was a quick fix.

3

They provided a temporary fix to the error.

How It's Used

Technical

"The fix made it work again."

Tip:Think of the fix as the solved result.

Idioms & expressions

to fix someone up

To arrange a date for someone.

"My friends are trying to fix me up with someone."

to fix on

To give your attention to or be interested in something.

"The dog fixed on the bird in the sky."

to be in a fix

To be in a difficult situation; to have a problem.

"I'm in a fix because I lost my keys."

From Middle English fixen, from Old French fixer (“to fix, fasten, determine”), from Latin fīxus, past participle of fīgere (“to fix, fasten”).

The word 'fix' has been used since the 14th century, initially with the sense of 'to fasten' or 'make firm'. Over time, it developed to include the meanings of repairing, preparing, and settling.

Memory tip

Think of "fixing" a broken toy.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"to fasten, fix"

fix a problemfix a datefix a mealfix up a housefix a gaze

Common misspellings

ficsficks

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written