steady

American  

[sted-ee] / ˈstɛd i /

adjective

steadier, steadiest

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.

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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

steadies

1. Informal. a person whom one dates exclusively; sweetheart.

2. Informal. a steady visitor, customer, or the like; habitué.

verb (used with object)

steadied, steadying

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

   His calm confidence steadied the nervous passengers.

verb (used without object)

steadied, steadying

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?

idioms

1. go steady, to date one person exclusively.

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

steady British  

/ 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

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verb

1. to make or become steady

adverb

1. in a steady manner

2. 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!

steady More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing steady

• go steady
• slow but sure (steady wins the race)

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Related Words

See steadfast.

Other Word Forms

• oversteadiness noun
• oversteady adjective
• steadier noun
• steadily adverb
• steadiness noun

Etymology

Origin of steady

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

Example Sentences

Increased investment in artificial intelligence—including purchases of graphics processing units for AI data centers—likely pressured profit margins in the January-March period despite steady revenue growth, the analyst writes in a note.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

The year-to-date average for monthly job growth is 68,000—a significant uptick from last year’s 15,000 monthly average, and above the pace economists estimate is needed to keep the unemployment rate steady.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

Grief layered itself over everything, but we kept the children steady and the house functioning.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

If job growth is flat, but the unemployment rate is steady, that suggests the country doesn’t need as many jobs as it once did to reach a “break-even” rate of job creation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

To steady himself, he put his free hand on the hilt of his knife.

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver

Related Words

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