steady

[sted-ee]

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.

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?

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. 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!

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of steady¹

First recorded in 1520–30; 1905–10 steady for def. 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, 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

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

Synonym Study

See steadfast.

Example Sentences

She said there need to be "some real fundamental changes from within" but that "someone needs to steady the ship, someone needs to get it back on an even keel".

Read more on BBC

As Apple plays the tortoise role—slow and steady wins the race—the sprint between the two hares is what’s captivating investors.

Read more on Barron's

But Thunder general manager Sam Presti took enough notice of Mitchell’s steady play at a mid-major college to go to great lengths to sign him.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Data from Indeed shows that while postings for seasonal work have largely held steady compared to last year, more people are seeking seasonal jobs.

Read more on BBC

“Commercial profitability was stable, driven by steady pricing sequentially as customers prioritize richly configured, AI-ready devices,” Kennedy said in his prepared remarks.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

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