fixing: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to informal; 'fixing' as a noun is common in everyday speech, technical contexts, and some regional uses (especially Southern US for 'meal preparation'). The gerund form is neutral.
Quick answer
What does “fixing” mean?
The act of making something firm, stable, or functional again.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act of making something firm, stable, or functional again; repairing or attaching.
1) The process of adjusting, setting, or determining something (e.g., prices, dates). 2) In cooking, preparing or making ready. 3) The act of illicitly arranging an outcome.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'fixing' more strongly implies repair or attachment. In American English (especially Southern), 'fixing to' is a semi-auxiliary phrase meaning 'intending to' or 'preparing to.' The noun 'fixing' can also mean 'side dish' or 'part of a meal' in Southern US.
Connotations
UK: Neutral/technical (repair). US: Can be neutral (repair) or regionally marked (culinary, intention). The 'illegal arrangement' sense is strong in both.
Frequency
'Fixing' as a gerund is common in both. The phrase 'fixing to' (US regional) is high-frequency in spoken Southern American English.
Grammar
How to Use “fixing” in a Sentence
[subject] + be + fixing + [object] (He is fixing the car)[subject] + be + fixing to + [infinitive] (US regional) (She's fixing to leave)[subject] + be + accused of + fixing + [event] (They were accused of fixing the race)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “fixing” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- I'm fixing the leaky gutter this weekend.
- The committee is fixing the rules for next season.
American English
- He's fixing the truck engine.
- She's fixing to start her own business. (regional)
adverb
British English
- Not typically used as an adverb.
American English
- Not typically used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The fixing bolt is missing. (used attributively)
- We used a fixing agent for the glue.
American English
- We need a fixing solution for this. (less common)
- The fixing dinner is almost ready. (regional, as in 'dinner being prepared')
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Often refers to illicit price collusion ('price-fixing scandal'). Can also mean setting a meeting time.
Academic
Used in engineering/technology for repair processes; in social sciences for discussing rigged systems.
Everyday
Most common for repairs around the house ('The tap needs fixing').
Technical
In IT/mechanics: applying patches, adjustments, or restoring function.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “fixing”
- Using 'fixing' to mean 'focusing' (false friend from 'fixate').
- Overusing in formal writing where 'repairing' or 'correcting' might be more precise.
- Using 'fixing' as a noun for a single repair instance; better as 'a fix' (informal) or 'a repair'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While repair is a core meaning, it can also mean setting/deciding (fixing a date), preparing (fixing a meal, US regional), or arranging dishonestly (fixing a race).
It's a semi-auxiliary phrase common in Southern American English meaning 'intending to' or 'preparing to' do something (e.g., 'I'm fixing to go to the store').
Yes, as a gerund (the activity of repairing) or a concrete noun (e.g., 'a fixing' for a mechanical part, though 'fixture' or 'fastener' is more common). In Southern US, 'fixings' (plural) means side dishes.
They are often synonyms. 'Fixing' can be broader and more informal, covering quick solutions. 'Repairing' often implies a more professional or thorough restoration, especially for complex items.
The act of making something firm, stable, or functional again.
Fixing is usually neutral to informal; 'fixing' as a noun is common in everyday speech, technical contexts, and some regional uses (especially southern us for 'meal preparation'). the gerund form is neutral. in register.
Fixing: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfɪks.ɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfɪks.ɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “fixing to (US regional)”
- “in a fix (needing a solution, not the gerund)”
- “quick fix”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a FIXed object with an -ING ongoing process tag attached to it -> FIXING.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROBLEMS ARE TANGLES/BROKEN OBJECTS (fixing untangles/restores). DIRECTIONS ARE OBJECTS (fixing a date sets it in place).
Practice
Quiz
In which context does 'fixing' NOT typically imply something negative or illicit?