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

a

: showing little variation or fluctuation : stable, uniform

a steady breeze

a steady heart rate

prices remaining steady

b

: happening or developing in a continuous and usually gradual way

a steady increase

making steady progress

3

: not easily disturbed or upset

steady nerves

4

a(1)

: constant in feeling, principle, purpose, or attachment

steady friends

(2)

—used to describe a lasting romantic relationship or the person with whom one has the relationship

a steady girlfriend/boyfriend

b

: dependable, reliable

a steady worker

c

: lasting or continuing in a dependable way

a steady job

does a steady business

5

: 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 of steady

Adjective

• steadfast
• staunch
• loyal
• faithful
• good
• devout
• true
• dedicated
• constant

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

Clowney finished with 15 points and seven rebounds in his second game back from injury, giving Brooklyn steady outside shooting. —C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 30 Mar. 2026

Those who worked with Borlaug often noted his practical mindset and steady determination, traits shaped by his upbringing in northeast Iowa. —Kate Levasseur, Des Moines Register, 29 Mar. 2026

Verb

Having someone nearby — even just to steady the ladder or call for help if something goes wrong — is a simple precaution that makes a real difference. —Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026

December 22 – January 19 A wider view steadies your next steps. —Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2026

Adverb

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell's commentary on Wednesday afternoon after central bankers held interest rates steady offered no reassurance. —Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 18 Mar. 2026

That means that even if all of the property-tax money in the unincorporated general fund went to the Sheriff’s Office, the county would still need to find a way to raise the $32 million necessary to keep the department’s funding steady at $183 million from that fund. —Douglas Hanks march 13, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2026

Noun

Your 2nd House of Production steadies as this emotional New Moon encourages you to set money intentions and reconnect with values that align with your spending habits. —Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026

Your 8th House of Shared Resources steadies as informative Mercury trines idealistic Jupiter in your quiet 12th house. —Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 9 Mar. 2026

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

Rhymes for steady

• heady
• ready
• reddi
• teddy
• thready
• already
• unsteady

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