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
• steadier noun
• steadiness noun
• oversteadiness noun
• oversteady adjective

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

A sizable minority preferred to hold steady, warning that inflation remained elevated and that employment was still relatively solid.

Read more on Barron's

Frequent headlines about stock indexes hitting record highs don’t mean very much when we are in a bull market, as steady economic growth can fuel overall stock-market growth.

Read more on MarketWatch

Stepping back, Schramm said there is a steady trend of “outmigration” of New York residents to warmer climates, especially on the east coast of Florida.

Read more on MarketWatch

In the decades after Prohibition ended in 1933, sales made a slow, steady climb.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He has proved to be a steadying force.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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