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¹steady

adjective \ˈste-dē\

steadi·ersteadi·est

Definition of STEADY

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>

: showing little variation or fluctuation : stable, uniform <a steady breeze> <steady prices>

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

— steadi·ly \ˈste-d^əl-ē\ adverb

— steadi·ness \ˈste-dē-nəs\ noun

See steady defined for English-language learners

See steady defined for kids

Origin of STEADY

Middle English stedy, from stede

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to STEADY

Synonyms: constant, dedicated, devoted, devout, down-the-line, fast, good, loyal, pious, staunch (also stanch), steadfast, faithful, true, true-blue

Antonyms: disloyal, faithless, false, fickle, inconstant, perfidious, recreant, traitorous, treacherous, unfaithful, untrue

Synonym Discussion of 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>.

²steady

verb

: to keep (something or someone) from moving, shaking, falling, etc.

: to cause (something) to stop changing, increasing, decreasing, etc.

stead·iedsteady·ing

Full Definition of STEADY

transitive verb

: to make or keep steady

intransitive verb

: to become steady

— steadi·er noun

See steady defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of STEADY

1530

Rhymes with STEADY

eddy, ready

³steady

adverb

: in a steady way

Full Definition of STEADY

: in a steady manner : steadily

: on the course set —used as a direction to the helmsman of a ship

See steady defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of STEADY

circa 1605

⁴steady

noun

: the only person you are having a romantic relationship with : the person you are going steady with

plural stead·ies

Full Definition of STEADY

: one that is steady; specifically : a boyfriend or girlfriend with whom one goes steady

See steady defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of STEADY

1792

STEADILY Defined for Kids

¹steady

adjective \ˈste-dē\

steadi·ersteadi·est

Definition of STEADY for Kids

: firmly fixed in position <Make sure the ladder is steady.>

: direct or sure in action <She worked with steady hands.> <I took steady aim.>

: showing little change <a steady flow of water> <I found a steady job.>

: not easily upset <steady nerves>

: reliable <a steady worker>

— stead·i·ly \ˈste-də-lē\ adverb

— stead·i·ness \ˈste-dē-nəs\ noun

²steady

verb

stead·iedsteady·ing

Definition of STEADY for Kids

: to make, keep, or become steady <He put on some music to steady his nerves.> <I put the stepladder next to the cart and steadied it with one hand … — Jack Gantos, Joey Pigza Loses Control>