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

Publix is set to open five new stores by early July, expanding its footprint in Florida and Kentucky as the grocery chain continues steady growth across the Southeast. —Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 9 June 2026

Libra September 23 – October 22 Small wins build trust with steady pace. —Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026

Verb

Indonesia’s foreign-exchange reserves fell for a fifth straight month in May, underscoring the cost of policymakers’ efforts to steady the rupiah after its slide to a record low. —Grace Sihombing, Bloomberg, 8 June 2026

The 27-year-old is known for his steadying presence and reliable defense in the midfield, and with questionable depth behind him, losing Adams to an injury or yellow card suspension could prove disastrous. —Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 7 June 2026

Adverb

Democrat Tom Steyer, a billionaire climate activist who jousted with Becerra in the campaign's final weeks, held steady at about 20%, followed by Republican Chad Bianco with 11%. —Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 3 June 2026

And simply holding rates steady carries its own cost: With inflation running hot, unchanged rates mean looser policy in real terms, giving households and businesses less reason to pull back on spending and potentially adding fuel to inflation. —Arkansas Online, 23 May 2026

Noun

About five minutes in, the writer’s voice steadies. —David O’Neill, New Yorker, 20 May 2026

When limits meet care, home steadies. —Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 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