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

Though O’Brien is flexing his emotional range here, his hunky sincerity lands in part because Sweeney remains steady in the opposite registry.

From Los Angeles Times

There have also been a steady stream of aftershocks.

From BBC

“Brown food tastes good” steadied my hand when I wanted to rescue onions-in-progress too soon, when the butter-slicked tangle was still pale and squeaky instead of sweet and golden.

From Salon

The Jets’ offense still looks disjointed without Aaron Rodgers, while the Steelers should be steady enough to grind out points with Rodgers on their side.

From Los Angeles Times

The number of referrals has remained relatively steady over the last year, and just over 3,800 were made in the first three months of the year.

From BBC

Related Words

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