steady

[ sted-ee ]

adjective

, stead·i·er, stead·i·est.

1. firmly placed or fixed; stable in position or equilibrium:

   a steady ladder.

   Synonyms: firm

2. even or regular in movement:

   the steady swing of the pendulum.

3. free from change, variation, or interruption; uniform; continuous:

   a steady diet of meat and potatoes;

   a steady wind.

   Synonyms: invariable

4. constant, regular, or habitual:

   a steady job.

5. free from excitement or agitation; calm:

   steady nerves.

6. unfaltering; firm:

   a steady gaze;

   a steady hand.

7. steadfast or unwavering; resolute:

   a steady purpose.

8. settled, staid, or sober, as a person, habits, etc.
9. Nautical. (of a vessel) keeping nearly upright, as in a heavy sea.

interjection

1. (used to urge someone to calm down or be under control.)
2. Nautical. (a helm order to keep a vessel steady on its present heading.)

noun

, plural stead·ies.

1. Informal. a person whom one dates exclusively; sweetheart.
2. Informal. a steady visitor, customer, or the like; habitué.

verb (used with object)

, stead·ied, stead·y·ing.

1. to make or keep steady, as in position, movement, action, character, etc.:

   His calm confidence steadied the nervous passengers.

verb (used without object)

, stead·ied, stead·y·ing.

1. to become steady.

adverb

1. in a firm or steady manner:

   Hold the ladder steady.

2. Informal. steadily, regularly, or continuously:

   Is she working steady now?

steady

/ ˈstɛdɪ /

adjective

1. not able to be moved or disturbed easily; stable
2. free from fluctuation

   the level stayed steady

3. not easily excited; imperturbable
4. staid; sober
5. regular; habitual

   a steady drinker

6. continuous

   a steady flow

7. nautical (of a vessel) keeping upright, as in heavy seas

verb

1. to make or become steady

adverb

1. in a steady manner
2. go steady informal.
   to date one person regularly

noun

1. informal.
   one's regular boyfriend or girlfriend

interjection

1. nautical an order to the helmsman to stay on a steady course
2. a warning to keep calm, be careful, etc
3. a command to get set to start, as in a race

   ready, steady, go!

Derived Forms

• ˈsteadily, adverb
• ˈsteadier, noun
• ˈsteadiness, noun

Other Words From

• stead·i·ly adverb
• stead·i·ness noun
• o·ver·stead·i·ness noun
• o·ver·stead·y adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of steady¹

First recorded in 1520–30; 1905–10 steady fordef 12; stead + -y ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of steady¹

C16: from stead + -y ¹; related to Old High German stātīg , Middle Dutch stēdig

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. go steady, Informal. to date one person exclusively:

   Her father didn't approve of her going steady at such an early age.

More idioms and phrases containing steady

In addition to the idiom beginning with steady , also see go steady ; slow but sure (steady wins the race) .

Synonym Study

See steadfast.

Example Sentences

“This steady flow of oil gives North Korea a level of stability it hasn’t had since these sanctions were introduced.”

From BBC

Given the steady rise in GLP-1 agonist prescribing, there are broad local and global economic and environmental impacts at play, he said.

From Science Daily

In Dnipro, a steady stream of injured soldiers comes through the doors of one of the country’s many prosthetic centres.

From BBC

Prendergast, one of the stars of that under-20s side, has been rewarded for a steady debut off the bench against Argentina.

From BBC

But in the bigger picture, the data show a steady decline in prejudice and intolerance.

From Salon

Related Words

• consistent
• constant
• continuous
• incessant
• persistent
• regular
• stable
• unbroken
• uninterrupted