steady

[ sted-ee ]

/ ˈstɛd i /

|||

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR steady ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective, stead·i·er, stead·i·est.

firmly placed or fixed; stable in position or equilibrium: a steady ladder.

even or regular in movement: the steady swing of the pendulum.

free from change, variation, or interruption; uniform; continuous: a steady diet of meat and potatoes; a steady wind.

constant, regular, or habitual: a steady job.

free from excitement or agitation; calm: steady nerves.

firm; unfaltering: a steady gaze; a steady hand.

steadfast or unwavering; resolute: a steady purpose.

settled, staid, or sober, as a person, habits, etc.

Nautical. (of a vessel) keeping nearly upright, as in a heavy sea.

interjection

(used to urge someone to calm down or be under control.)

Nautical. (a helm order to keep a vessel steady on its present heading.)

noun, plural stead·ies.

Informal. a person of the opposite sex whom one dates exclusively; sweetheart; boyfriend or girlfriend.

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

verb (used with object), stead·ied, stead·y·ing.

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.

to become steady.

adverb

in a firm or steady manner: Hold the ladder steady.

Informal. steadily, regularly, or continuously: Is she working steady now?

Nearby words

ste.-thérèse, stead, steadfast, steadicam, steading, steady, steady as a rock, steady state, steady state theory, steady state universe, steady-going

Idioms

go steady, Informal. to date one person exclusively: Her father didn't approve of her going steady at such an early age.

Origin of steady

1520–30; 1905–10 for def 12; stead + -y¹

SYNONYMS FOR steady

1 balanced.

3 undeviating, invariable.

7 See steadfast.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR steady ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

stead·i·ly, adverbstead·i·ness, nouno·ver·stead·i·ly, adverbo·ver·stead·i·ness, noun

o·ver·stead·y, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for steadiness

Simon is 51 years old, tall, and possessed of a big smile that conveys Midwestern values and steadiness.
Could Michelle Obama Run for the U.S. Senate?|Eleanor Clift|March 31, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Looking back, who would have predicted, as the campaign began, that the deciding factors would be competence and steadiness?
Sarah Palin, Beware: The Evangelical Intrusion Is Over|Garry Wills|November 13, 2008|DAILY BEAST
Steadiness of rates, on the other hand, is vital to a healthy state of trade.
Railroads: Rates and Regulations|William Z. Ripley
Although reverses followed, the Corps maintained the reputation it had gained for steadiness and discipline.
The Life of Gordon, Volume I|Demetrius Charles Boulger

Steadiness, however, combined with indomitable courage, prevailed.
Blue Lights|R.M. Ballantyne
Winston looked down upon her gravely, and Miss Barrington noticed a steadiness in his eyes she had not expected to see.
Winston of the Prairie|Harold Bindloss
But he recovered his steadiness again directly, and looked, to the Colonel for orders.
Sappers and Miners|George Manville Fenn

British Dictionary definitions for steadiness

steady

/ (ˈstɛdɪ) /

adjective steadier or steadiest

not able to be moved or disturbed easily; stable

free from fluctuationthe level stayed steady

not easily excited; imperturbable

staid; sober

regular; habituala steady drinker

continuousa steady flow

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

verb steadies, steadying or steadied

to make or become steady

adverb

in a steady manner

go steady informal to date one person regularly

noun plural steadies

informal one's regular boyfriend or girlfriend

interjection

nautical an order to the helmsman to stay on a steady course

a warning to keep calm, be careful, etc

British a command to get set to start, as in a raceready, steady, go!

Derived Forms

steadier, nounsteadily, adverbsteadiness, noun

Word Origin for steady

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Idioms and Phrases with steadiness

steady

In addition to the idiom beginning with steady

steady as a rock

also see:

go steady
slow but sure (steady wins the race)