steadily
STEH-dih-lee
Steadily (adv) means In a consistent, even, and gradually progressing manner. Example: “She worked steadily through the pile of letters until it was gone.”
adv
1
In a consistent, even, and gradually progressing manner.
"She worked steadily through the pile of letters until it was gone."
"The company's profits have grown steadily over the past decade."
"Rain fell steadily throughout the afternoon."
How to use steadily
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDoing something at a constant, reliable pace rather than in fits and starts.
Common pairings
grow steadily
increase steadily
work steadily
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more steadily
- Superlative
- most steadily
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She worked _____ through the pile of letters until it was gone.
Etymology
Formed from steady + the adverb suffix -ly.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
unsteadily
Related words
Rhymes for steadily
See all rhymes for steadily →Frequently asked questions
What does “steadily” mean?
The word “steadily” means in a consistent, even, and gradually progressing manner. In plain terms, doing something at a constant, reliable pace rather than in fits and starts.
How do you pronounce “steadily”?
“Steadily” is pronounced STEH-dih-lee (/ˈstɛdɪli/ in IPA).
How do you use “steadily” in a sentence?
Here is “steadily” used in a sentence: “The company's profits have grown steadily over the past decade.”
What part of speech is “steadily”?
“Steadily” is an adverb.
Is “steadily” a common word?
“Steadily” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between steadily and quickly?
Steadily describes a consistent, even, and gradually progressing pace, while quickly emphasizes speed without implying evenness. Something can increase steadily but slowly, or quickly but erratically; steadily is about consistency, not velocity.
What is a common collocation with steadily?
Steadily frequently pairs with verbs of change, such as "rising steadily," "growing steadily," "declining steadily," or "improving steadily," all emphasizing a smooth, uninterrupted trend.
Is steadily used more for physical actions or for trends and statistics?
Steadily is used for both: it can describe a physical action, like walking steadily, or an abstract trend, like a steadily rising economy, always highlighting consistency over the described period.
