steady

1 of 4

adjective

ˈste-dē 

steadier; steadiest

1

a

: direct or sure in movement : unfaltering

a steady hand

b

: firm in position : fixed

held the pole steady

c

: keeping nearly upright in a seaway

a steady ship

2

: showing little variation or fluctuation : stable, uniform

a steady breeze

steady prices

3

a

: not easily disturbed or upset

steady nerves

b(1)

: constant in feeling, principle, purpose, or attachment

steady friends

(2)

: dependable

c

: not given to dissipation : sober

steadily

ˈste-də-lē 

adverb

steadiness

ˈste-dē-nəs 

noun

steady

2 of 4

verb

steadied; steadying

transitive verb

: to make or keep steady

intransitive verb

: to become steady

steadier noun

steady

3 of 4

adverb

1

: in a steady manner : steadily

2

: on the course set

—used as a direction to the helmsman of a ship

steady

4 of 4

noun

plural steadies

: one that is steady

specifically : a boyfriend or girlfriend with whom one goes steady

Synonyms

Adjective

• constant
• dedicated
• devoted
• devout
• down-the-line
• faithful
• fast
• good
• loyal
• pious
• staunch
• stanch
• steadfast
• true
• true-blue

Choose the Right Synonym for steady

steady, even, equable mean not varying throughout a course or extent.

steady implies lack of fluctuation or interruption of movement.

steady progress

even suggests a lack of variation in quality or character.

an even distribution

equable implies lack of extremes or of sudden sharp changes.

maintain an equable temper

Examples of steady in a Sentence

Adjective

She used a tripod to keep the camera steady.

Painting takes a steady hand and a good eye.

Prices have remained steady over the last month.

He finally has a steady job.

They do a steady business at the restaurant.

There has been a steady increase in prices.

I am making steady progress on refinishing the basement.

There was a steady rain all day.

We've received a steady stream of donations.

Verb

He steadied the gun and fired.

She used a tripod to steady the camera.

The doctor gave her medication to help steady her heart rate.

Her heart rate had been erratic but eventually steadied.

Prices have steadied in recent months.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

From there wolves began a slow but steady migration from Idaho to Oregon and then southward, Hunnicutt said. —Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 6 Dec. 2024

Yes, but: The trend over the last few months has been a slow but steady return to the land of cubicles, water cooler chitchat, and harsh fluorescent lighting. —Alex Fitzpatrick, Axios, 6 Dec. 2024

Verb

His mission on this day was to stand and alternate placing the remote on tables to his left and right, using the bars when necessary to steady himself. —Dan Horn, The Courier-Journal, 2 Dec. 2024

Miss Petersen was by then sitting at her desk, her hands grasping the table as if to steady herself and her subtle tears were now pure sorrowful crying. —Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 27 Nov. 2024

Adverb

Coach Nick Sirianni deserves credit for keeping the hottest team in the NFL steady through on-field setbacks. —Jeff Zrebiec, The Athletic, 2 Dec. 2024

The latest housing statistics show single-family sales holding pretty steady over the year (through August). —Laura Layden, USA TODAY, 25 Sep. 2024

Noun

The state’s biggest health system had unrivaled clout with doctors and insurers, guaranteeing a steady of flow of patients. —Globe Columnist, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Sep. 2023

Make sure to keep your pelvis steady and your back straight. —Mallory Creveling, Health, 23 Feb. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English stedy, from stede

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1530, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Adverb

circa 1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1792, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing steady

• go steady
• ready, steady, go
• steady as a rock
• steady on
• steady oneself
• steady one's/someone's nerves
• steady paycheck
• steady state
• steady state theory

Kids Definition

steady

1 of 4 adjective

ˈsted-ē 

steadier; steadiest

1

a

: firm in position : fixed

b

: direct or sure in movement

took steady aim

2

a

: regular entry 1 sense 3, uniform

a steady pace

b

: not changing much : stable

steady prices

3

a

: not easily moved or upset : resolute

b

: constant in feeling, principle, purpose, or attachment : dependable

steadily

ˈsted-ᵊl-ē 

adverb

steadiness

ˈsted-ē-nəs 

noun

steady

2 of 4 verb

steadied; steadying

: to make, keep, or become steady

steady

3 of 4 adverb

: in a steady manner : steadily

steady

4 of 4 noun

plural steadies

: one that is steady

especially : a boyfriend or girlfriend with whom one goes steady