steely
STEE-lee
Steely (adj) means Cold, hard, and unyielding in manner or determination. Example: “She fixed him with a steely gaze.”
adj
1
Cold, hard, and unyielding in manner or determination.
"She fixed him with a steely gaze."
"His steely resolve carried the team through the final round."
How to use steely
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHard, cold, and resolute — like steel in character or expression.
Common pairings
steely gaze
steely resolve
steely determination
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like steely.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Comparative
- steelier
- Superlative
- steeliest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She fixed him with a _____ gaze.
Etymology
Formed from steel + -y.
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for steely
See all rhymes for steely →Frequently asked questions
What does “steely” mean?
The word “steely” means cold, hard, and unyielding in manner or determination. In plain terms, hard, cold, and resolute — like steel in character or expression.
How do you pronounce “steely”?
“Steely” is pronounced STEE-lee (/ˈstiːli/ in IPA).
How do you use “steely” in a sentence?
Here is “steely” used in a sentence: “She fixed him with a steely gaze.”
What part of speech is “steely”?
“Steely” is an adjective.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include steely:
