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

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

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

Qualified users should understand that legal medical use does not override employer policy or federal restrictions, and employers should be prepared to stand behind the decisions those policies produce. Parting Thoughts HB 46 continues Texas’ slow but steady march toward broader cannabis access. —Alonzo Martinez, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025

The Federal Reserve on June 18 held interest rates steady at a range between 4.25% and 4.5% for a fourth straight meeting despite Trump's public lobbying for a lower rate and his insults directed at Powell. —Joey Garrison, USA Today, 1 July 2025

Verb

The shoes rely on stiff soles to steady the foot, but the lightweight, rigid build is what creates the best ankle support. —Molly Harris, Travel + Leisure, 2 July 2025

The droning roll calls in the chamber belied the frenzied action to steady the bill. —Jim Edwards, Fortune, 1 July 2025

Adverb

Given these dueling dynamics and the uncertainty around tariff impacts, the central bank’s decision to keep interest rates steady makes sense. —Zev Fima, CNBC, 21 June 2025

Wednesday’s decision to hold the Fed’s benchmark short-term rate steady comes after officials reduced it by a total percentage point at three straight meetings late last year. —Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2025

Noun

Looking Ahead As the labor market steadies, organizations appear poised to refine rather than continually expand their benefit strategies. —Cynthia Pong, Jd, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025

Fire containment steadies, further spread not ruled out Authorities said there was potential for growth in the east Horton Creek drainage area. —Rey Covarrubias Jr., The Arizona Republic, 26 Dec. 2024

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