fixed
fixed — adjective
1. arranged or decided ahead of time, with no possibility of being changed later.
arranged or decided ahead of time, with no possibility of being changed later.
The course has a fixed schedule, so all classes begin at exactly nine o'clock.
collocation: fixed schedule
Hiro signed a contract with a fixed monthly rent for two years.
collocation: fixed monthly rent
Élise asked whether the deadline was fixed or if she could ask for more time.
Tamar prefers a fixed-rate loan so her payments stay the same every month.
collocation: fixed-rate loan
The shop charges a fixed price of one hundred dollars for any pair of glasses.
- fixed price
- fixed date
- fixed rate
- fixed schedule
- fixed amount
- fixed term
- fixed cost
- set
more neutral and slightly less formal; 'a set time'
- predetermined
more formal, often used in technical or legal contexts
- established
suggests a long-standing arrangement rather than a one-time decision
Grammar Patterns
fixed + noun (price, date, amount, rate)
Usage Note
Typically used before a noun in financial or scheduling contexts. 'Set' and 'established' are close synonyms but are more common in formal writing.
Common Mistakes
2. describes a belief or opinion that someone refuses to change, even when presente
describes a belief or opinion that someone refuses to change, even when presented with new facts or arguments.
Femi has a fixed opinion about vegetarian food and will not try any new dishes.
pattern: have a fixed opinion about something
No matter what evidence the teacher showed, Arjun's fixed view on the topic remained unchanged.
Christopher's fixed belief that cats cannot be trained stopped him from trying with the kitten.
collocation: fixed belief
Old habits and fixed ideas sometimes prevent a company from trying new technology.
- fixed idea
- fixed opinion
- fixed view
- fixed belief
- fixed mindset
- entrenched
stronger negative tone, suggesting the belief is harmful or resistant to change over a long time
- ingrained
suggests the belief is so old it feels like part of someone's character
- deep-rooted
similar to ingrained, often used for cultural or personal values
- open-minded
willing to consider new ideas
- flexible
able to adjust one's thinking when new information appears
Grammar Patterns
have a fixed idea/opinion/view about something
Usage Note
Often carries a mildly negative tone, suggesting the person is unwilling to consider other viewpoints. Not used for everyday preferences such as favourite foods or leisure activities.
Common Mistakes
3. firmly attached or positioned so that it does not move or cannot be moved easily
firmly attached or positioned so that it does not move or cannot be moved easily.
Darius checked that the bookshelf was fixed to the wall before loading it with books.
pattern: fixed to + noun
The seats in the stadium are fixed and cannot be moved closer to the field.
Constanza stood perfectly still with her feet fixed in the wet cement.
collocation: fixed in [substance/position]
A metal pole fixed into the ground marks the start of the hiking trail.
The mirror is fixed firmly to the bathroom wall and will not fall off.
- fixed to the wall
- fixed in place
- fixed position
- fixed firmly
- fixed seat
- stationary
describes being not moving, but does not imply attachment
- immovable
suggests something cannot be moved at all, often due to weight or strength
- secure
focuses on safety from falling or being moved accidentally
Grammar Patterns
fixed + to/in/on + noun
be + fixed
Usage Note
Distinguish from 'stuck': 'stuck' suggests something was moving freely and became trapped accidentally; 'fixed' suggests deliberate or structural placement. 'Stationary' describes lack of motion but not attachment.
Common Mistakes
4. describes a look, expression, or smile that stays focused on one point and does
describes a look, expression, or smile that stays focused on one point and does not change, often suggesting an unnatural, forced, or intense quality.
Élise gave him a fixed stare that made him feel uncomfortable.
collocation: fixed stare
The salesman kept a fixed grin on his face even when the customer complained loudly.
collocation: fixed grin — forced, not genuine
William noticed the old woman's fixed gaze on the photograph she held in her hands.
Dewi tried to keep a fixed smile during the long and boring ceremony.
With a fixed look of determination, Femi walked onto the stage to give his speech.
- fixed stare
- fixed gaze
- fixed look
- fixed smile
- fixed grin
- unwavering
positive or neutral tone, often used for determination
- intent
describes focus of attention rather than expression
- motionless
describes physical stillness, not specifically facial expressions
Grammar Patterns
fixed + noun (look, stare, gaze, smile, grin)
Usage Note
When used with 'smile' or 'grin', the word suggests the expression is not genuine — the person is pretending to be happy or friendly. With 'stare' or 'gaze', it suggests intensity or concentration.
Common Mistakes
5. describes a competition, election, or game where the outcome has been secretly a
describes a competition, election, or game where the outcome has been secretly and dishonestly arranged in advance.
Three players were arrested after it was discovered that the poker game was fixed.
Rafael refused to take part in the race when he learned it was fixed.
pattern: was fixed
The election results were declared invalid because officials found evidence of a fixed vote count.
collocation: fixed vote / fixed election
Nellie suspected the contest was fixed because the same person won three times.
- fixed match
- fixed race
- fixed game
- fixed election
- fixed result
- fixed contest
- rigged
more common in American English; 'a rigged election'
- manipulated
broader — can refer to data, markets, or people, not only competitions
- prearranged
neutral term; 'fixed' adds the dishonest connotation
- fair
honest, following the rules
- legitimate
lawful and proper
Grammar Patterns
fixed + noun (match, race, game, election, result)
Usage Note
Always implies illegal or unethical activity. Not used for legitimate pre-arranged outcomes such as a scripted television show. In legal contexts, 'fixed' is often replaced by 'rigged' in American English.
Common Mistakes
6. successfully repaired after being broken, or a problem that has been dealt with
successfully repaired after being broken, or a problem that has been dealt with and is no longer causing trouble.
Hiro was relieved that his laptop was finally fixed after the technician replaced the screen.
pattern: was/were + fixed (passive)
Constanza called to say the heating is fixed and the apartment will be warm again.
The leak under the kitchen sink is fixed now, so the floor is finally dry.
Tamar is glad the argument with her neighbour is fixed and they are speaking again.
abstract use: argument is fixed
Darius got the broken bicycle chain fixed at a small shop near the station.
- get something fixed
- is fixed
- problem fixed
- broken item fixed
- leak fixed
- broken
in need of repair
- unresolved
still causing difficulty or disagreement
Grammar Patterns
be + fixed
get + fixed
Usage Note
Very common in informal spoken English. In formal or academic writing, 'repaired' (for objects) or 'resolved' (for problems) is preferred. Can be used for both physical objects and abstract problems.
Common Mistakes
7. describes a domestic animal that has undergone a surgical procedure to prevent i
describes a domestic animal that has undergone a surgical procedure to prevent it from producing babies.
Nellie adopted a fixed cat from the shelter to avoid the worry of kittens.
collocation: fixed cat / fixed dog
The vet recommended getting the puppy fixed before it reached six months of age.
pattern: get + animal + fixed
Many animal shelters offer low-cost programs to help people get their pets fixed.
Rafael brought his two rabbits to the clinic to have them fixed.
- fixed cat
- fixed dog
- get an animal fixed
- fixed rabbit
- neutered
technical term for male animals
- spayed
technical term for female animals
- sterilised
general medical term for either sex
- unneutered
not surgically prevented from reproducing
- entire
technical term in veterinary and breeding contexts
Grammar Patterns
fixed + animal type (cat, dog, rabbit)
Usage Note
This is the common informal term in everyday conversation. 'Neutered' is the more technical term for males, and 'spayed' for females. In veterinary or formal writing, those specific terms are preferred.
Common Mistakes
of no fixed abode
idioma formal legal phrase meaning having no permanent home or address.
The charity helps people of no fixed abode by providing meals and temporary shelter.
According to the court records, the defendant is a person of no fixed abode.
This question asks about the amount of something someone has or about their plans.
How are you fixed for time this afternoon?
How are we fixed for dinner reservations?
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: adjective/1
'Fixed', 'set', 'established', and 'predetermined' all describe something that is decided in advance, but they differ in tone and context. 'Fixed' is the most common and neutral word, used widely in everyday speech about prices, dates, and schedules — e.g. 'The rent is fixed at $800 per month.' 'Set' is very similar but slightly less formal; you might say 'a set menu' in a restaurant but 'a fixed price' in a contract. 'Established' implies that the arrangement has been in place for some time and is widely accepted, as in 'an established procedure' or 'an established rule'. 'Predetermined' is the most formal and technical, appearing in legal, scientific, or philosophical contexts where the outcome was decided by a prior cause or agreement. For a learner choosing among these, 'fixed' and 'set' are safe for most everyday situations, while 'established' adds the nuance of tradition, and 'predetermined' sounds precise and academic.
Common collocations
Nouns
- fixed price
- fixed rate
- fixed date
- fixed point
- fixed position
Adverbs
- firmly fixed
- permanently fixed
- securely fixed
- solidly fixed
Phrases
- fixed in place
- fixed in position
- fixed for life
Prepositions
- fixed in
- fixed on
- fixed upon
- fixed to
Etymology
The word 'fixed' comes from the Latin verb 'figere', meaning 'to fasten or attach'. This became 'fixer' in Old French, which meant 'to make stable or secure'. English borrowed 'fix' from French in the late 1300s, and by the 1500s 'fixed' was being used as an adjective meaning 'firmly placed'. The sense 'dishonestly arranged' dates from the late 1700s, originally in the context of boxing matches and horse races being secretly rigged. The veterinary sense emerged in American English around the mid-1900s, as a softer everyday term for spaying or neutering pets.