English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology

adj B1 Intermediate Common

steady

STEH-dee

Steady (adj) means Firmly fixed or balanced; not shaking or wobbling. Example: “Hold the ladder steady while I climb up.”

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adj

1

Firmly fixed or balanced; not shaking or wobbling.

"Hold the ladder steady while I climb up."

"Her hands were steady even under pressure in the operating room."

2

Regular and consistent, without sudden changes.

"The economy has shown steady growth this year."

3

Calm and reliable in temperament, especially under stress.

"He's a steady presence in the locker room during tense games."

verb

1

To make something stable or stop it from shaking.

"She steadied herself against the railing as the boat rocked."

How to use steady

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishStable, consistent, and reliable — whether describing a hand, a pace, or a person's nerve.

Common mistake

"Going steady" is an informal, slightly dated way to describe an exclusive romantic relationship, not a description of someone's balance.

Common pairings

steady hand steady pace steady job steady on

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Singular: steadies
Plural: steadies
Past tense: steadied
Comparative: steadier
Superlative: steadiest

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Can you complete this real example?

Hold the ladder _____ while I climb up.

Etymology

From Middle English stedy, built from stead ("place") plus -y, originally meaning "firmly fixed in place."

Origin: Middle English

Synonyms

firm unwavering dependable constant reliable staunch unyielding uniform unvarying ponderous stately consistent

Antonyms

unsteady

Related words

house business company hard normal standard heavy regular

Rhymes for steady

lady Cady ready shady heady toady beady Brady Grady malady milady already

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Frequently asked questions

What does “steady” mean?

The word “steady” means firmly fixed or balanced; not shaking or wobbling. In plain terms, stable, consistent, and reliable — whether describing a hand, a pace, or a person's nerve.

How do you pronounce “steady”?

“Steady” is pronounced STEH-dee (/ˈstɪdi/ in IPA).

How do you use “steady” in a sentence?

Here is “steady” used in a sentence: “Hold the ladder steady while I climb up.”

What is another word for “steady”?

Words with a similar meaning to “steady” include staunch, unyielding, uniform, unvarying, ponderous and stately.

What is the opposite of “steady”?

The opposite of “steady” — its antonyms — is unsteady.

What part of speech is “steady”?

Depending on how it is used, “steady” can be an adjective and a verb.

Where does the word “steady” come from?

The word “steady” comes from Middle English. From Middle English stedy, built from stead ("place") plus -y, originally meaning "firmly fixed in place.".

Is “steady” a common word?

“Steady” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

What is the difference between 'steady' and 'stable'?

Both mean firm and not easily changed, but 'steady' often stresses a constant, even rate or motion, as in 'a steady pace.' 'Stable' emphasises being firmly fixed and unlikely to fall, tip over, or change suddenly, as in 'a stable structure.'

What is the difference between 'steady' and 'constant'?

'Constant' means unchanging or continuous, happening without interruption. 'Steady' allows for gradual movement or activity as long as it stays regular and even, so a steady increase still changes, just at a smooth and reliable rate.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial