fixed
Something that is fixed is held firmly in place or has been decided and will not change.
Explanation at your level:
If something is fixed, it is in one place. It does not move. Think of a picture on the wall. It is fixed there. It is not moving. You can also have a fixed time to eat lunch. It is always at 12:00. You do not change it. It is a good word for things that stay the same.
When we say something is fixed, we mean it is attached or decided. If you buy a table that is fixed to the floor, you cannot move it. If you have a fixed plan, you know exactly what you are doing. It helps us feel safe when we have fixed rules because we know what to expect every day.
The adjective fixed describes things that are firmly attached or unchangeable. In everyday life, we use it for physical objects like fixed cameras or shelves. We also use it for abstract things like fixed prices or fixed dates. It suggests a sense of permanence and reliability. If your schedule is fixed, you have no flexibility to change it, which can be both good and bad depending on your needs.
Using fixed allows you to express precision and rigidity. It is common in professional contexts, such as fixed rates in finance or fixed deadlines in project management. Beyond the literal meaning, it can describe a person's attitude, such as a fixed expression, which implies a lack of emotional change. Understanding the nuance between 'stable' and 'fixed' is helpful; 'fixed' implies that an external force or decision has locked the state in place, whereas 'stable' might just mean it is not currently changing.
At an advanced level, fixed often appears in discussions regarding structural permanence or psychological rigidity. We talk about fixed variables in scientific research or fixed social hierarchies in historical analysis. It carries a connotation of being 'set' or 'determined', sometimes implying a lack of agency. When you describe a fixed idea, you are suggesting that someone is closed-minded or resistant to new information. This word is essential for describing systems, contracts, and deeply ingrained habits that define the framework of our reality.
The term fixed carries significant weight in philosophical and linguistic discourse. It relates to the concept of 'fixity'—the state of being unchanging or permanent. In literary analysis, one might discuss the fixed nature of a character's destiny or the fixed conventions of a specific genre. Etymologically, it connects to the Latin figere, grounding it in the physical act of fastening, which serves as a powerful metaphor for how we 'fasten' our beliefs or societal structures. Whether discussing fixed exchange rates in macroeconomics or the fixed stars in astronomy, the word serves as a cornerstone for describing the immutable aspects of our universe and our attempts to categorize them.
30초 단어
- Means attached or set.
- Pronounced like 'fixt'.
- Used for objects and plans.
- Opposite of flexible.
When we describe something as fixed, we are usually talking about its position or its permanence. Imagine a shelf fixed to a wall; it is not going anywhere because it has been screwed in tight. This sense of being 'stuck' is the core of the word.
Beyond physical objects, we use fixed to talk about abstract concepts like schedules or prices. If you have a fixed appointment, it means the time is set in stone. It is a very useful word for describing things that provide structure and reliability in our daily lives.
The word fixed comes from the Latin word fixus, which is the past participle of figere, meaning 'to fasten' or 'to attach'. It entered Middle English through Old French in the 14th century.
Historically, it was used to describe things physically pinned or anchored to the ground. Over time, the meaning expanded into the metaphorical territory of 'fixed ideas' or 'fixed costs' by the 17th century. It is fascinating how a word that started with simple physical nails and ropes evolved to describe the complex, rigid structures of our modern economy and social life.
You will hear fixed used in both casual and professional settings. In business, we often talk about fixed assets or fixed income, which are standard terms for things that don't fluctuate. In conversation, you might say, 'I have a fixed routine,' to show you are a creature of habit.
It is important to note that fixed usually implies a positive sense of stability, but it can sometimes sound negative if it implies being 'stuck' in a bad situation, like a fixed mindset. Always check the context to see if the stability is helpful or restrictive.
Idioms often use fixed to describe states of mind or social situations.
- Fixed in one's ways: To be unwilling to change habits.
- Fixed on someone/something: To be completely focused or obsessed.
- A fixed smile: A smile that looks fake or forced.
- Fixed-term contract: An agreement that lasts for a specific, set period.
- Fixed-price: A deal where the cost cannot be negotiated.
Pronounced as /fɪkst/, the word ends with a crisp 't' sound despite the 'ed' spelling. It is a one-syllable word that rhymes with mixed, nixed, and fixed (as a verb). In British and American English, the pronunciation remains largely the same.
Grammatically, it functions as an adjective that typically precedes a noun (e.g., fixed position) or follows a linking verb (e.g., the price is fixed). It is not usually used in a comparative form like 'more fixed' because something is either stable or it isn't.
Fun Fact
The word is related to 'fixation' and 'fixture'.
Pronunciation Guide
Short 'i' sound followed by 'kst'
Identical to UK; crisp 't' ending
Common Errors
- Pronouncing as 'fix-ed'
- Adding an extra syllable
- Slurring the 't'
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
easy
moderate
moderate
easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
고급
Grammar to Know
Past Participle as Adjective
The fixed shelf.
Examples by Level
The shelf is fixed to the wall.
fixed = attached
Passive adjective usage.
We have a fixed time for dinner.
fixed = set
Used with a noun.
The price is fixed.
fixed = no change
Used with 'is'.
The camera is fixed.
fixed = not moving
Adjective describing a noun.
He has a fixed look.
fixed = steady
Describing facial expression.
Keep your eyes fixed on the ball.
fixed = focused
Adjective following object.
The rule is fixed.
fixed = permanent
Simple sentence.
It is a fixed position.
fixed = set
Pre-nominal adjective.
The bike rack is fixed to the ground.
We have fixed plans for the weekend.
The cost of the ticket is fixed.
She has a fixed routine every morning.
The post is fixed in concrete.
He kept his attention fixed on the teacher.
They have a fixed address.
The schedule is fixed for the whole year.
The interest rate on the loan is fixed.
He has a very fixed way of doing things.
The statue is fixed to a stone base.
We need to agree on a fixed date for the meeting.
Her eyes were fixed on the horizon.
The company offers a fixed salary.
They live in a fixed location.
The machine is fixed to the workbench.
The government implemented a fixed exchange rate.
He holds a fixed belief that hard work pays off.
The camera remained fixed on the suspect.
There is a fixed charge for delivery.
She had a fixed smile on her face during the interview.
The stars appear fixed in the night sky.
They are working under a fixed-term contract.
His determination was fixed from the start.
The study relies on fixed variables to ensure accuracy.
She was trapped in a fixed mindset regarding her abilities.
The social structure of the village remained fixed for centuries.
He had a fixed gaze that made others uncomfortable.
The contract includes a fixed penalty clause.
The artist used a fixed palette of colors.
The ideological boundaries were fixed by the party leaders.
The planet has a fixed orbit around the sun.
The narrative is anchored by a fixed point of view.
Societal norms were once considered fixed and immutable.
The architect designed the structure with fixed proportions.
His resolve remained fixed despite the immense pressure.
The poem explores the tension between fluid emotions and fixed reality.
The historical record is not as fixed as we might assume.
They debated the fixed nature of human identity.
The legislation establishes a fixed standard for safety.
자주 쓰는 조합
Idioms & Expressions
"fixed in one's ways"
unwilling to change habits
He is too fixed in his ways to try new food.
neutral"fixed on"
focused intently
She was fixed on finishing the book.
neutral"a fixed smile"
a smile that lacks emotion
He greeted us with a fixed smile.
neutral"fixed-term"
lasting for a set time
This is a fixed-term lease.
formal"fixed mindset"
belief that abilities cannot change
A fixed mindset limits growth.
academic"fixed costs"
expenses that do not change
Rent is one of our fixed costs.
businessEasily Confused
both mean not moving
stuck is usually accidental; fixed is intentional
The door is stuck (accidental) vs. The shelf is fixed (intentional).
Sentence Patterns
Subject + is + fixed + to + noun
The sign is fixed to the door.
Subject + has + a + fixed + noun
He has a fixed routine.
어휘 가족
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
관련
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
자주 하는 실수
As an adjective, 'fixed' usually means 'immobile'. Use 'repaired' for things that were broken.
Fixed is an absolute adjective; it doesn't usually take comparatives.
Stuck implies something is trapped; fixed implies it is intentionally attached.
People are rarely 'fixed' unless they are statues.
Don't pronounce the 'ed' as a separate syllable.
Tips
Say It Right
Don't say 'fix-ed'. Say 'fixt'.
Business Context
Use 'fixed' for rates and costs.
Word Web
Connect 'fixed' to 'fastened'.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Fix-ed: It is fixed, it is done!
Visual Association
A picture frame nailed to the wall.
Word Web
챌린지
Describe three things in your room that are fixed.
어원
Latin
Original meaning: to fasten or attach
문화적 맥락
None
Commonly used in real estate and finance.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At home
- fixed to the wall
- fixed position
At work
- fixed salary
- fixed schedule
Conversation Starters
"Do you have a fixed routine?"
"Is it better to have a fixed job or a flexible one?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a piece of furniture in your house that is fixed.
Do you prefer fixed plans or spontaneous ones?
자주 묻는 질문
8 질문Yes, it is the past tense of 'fix'.
It is better to just say 'fixed'.
No, it often means 'set' or 'attached'.
It is neutral and used everywhere.
Movable or flexible.
Only metaphorically, like 'fixed in their ways'.
Yes, very common.
It sounds like a 't'.
셀프 테스트
The shelf is ___ to the wall.
Fixed means attached.
What does a fixed price mean?
Fixed means it does not change.
A fixed schedule can be changed easily.
Fixed means it is set and hard to change.
Word
뜻
These are common business collocations.
Her eyes were fixed on him.
점수: /5
Summary
Fixed means something is set in place and not meant to move or change.
- Means attached or set.
- Pronounced like 'fixt'.
- Used for objects and plans.
- Opposite of flexible.
Say It Right
Don't say 'fix-ed'. Say 'fixt'.
Business Context
Use 'fixed' for rates and costs.
Word Web
Connect 'fixed' to 'fastened'.
