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

More often than not, the backhand is steady. —Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025

For investment firms of the ultra wealthy, deal-making held steady in August. —Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2025

Verb

Gauff’s serve steadied throughout the match, too. —Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2025

The carrier, recognizable by its bright yellow jets, has struggled to steady operations since emerging from its first bankruptcy in March. —Reuters 19 Min Ago, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2025

Adverb

The University of Buffalo and Arizona State University have both reported substantial declines, but initial data from Columbia University and Princeton University showed their international enrollment holding steady compared to last year. —Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025

The Stoner Mesa fire held steady at about 7,390 acres in the San Juan National Forest northeast of Dolores on Friday morning. —Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 15 Aug. 2025

Noun

Still, no matter how much Seydoux sparkles or Wedler steadies, this is Leung’s film. —Leila Latif, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025

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

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