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

The steady mindset got Dobbins through years of arduous rehab.

From Los Angeles Times

The steady stream of storms has left the country in shock.

From NewsForKids.net

Xi could be president for life – and so can afford to make slow but steady progress towards his goals.

From BBC

After starting with a tricky Six Nations in 2023, which featured only one win and the threat of strike action against England over contract issues, Gatland steadied the ship for the World Cup.

From BBC

Available studies suggest there’s been a steady increase for more than a decade in the use of mental health legislation being used to detain people in Québec, Ontario and British Columbia.

From Salon

Related Words

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