Home British & World English steady

Definition of steady in English:

steady

adjectivesteadier, steadiest

  • 1Firmly fixed, supported, or balanced; not shaking or moving.

    ‘the lighter the camera, the harder it is to hold steady’
    ‘he refilled her glass with a steady hand’
    • ‘His hand, usually steady, is shaking; he must not let his agitation show.’
    • ‘There is an uneasy sensation akin to loss of control, a whirlwind that trips my balance, sweeps me off my steady feet and into a foggy daze at odd times of the day.’
    • ‘He was able to grab hold of a ledge and when he got a steady footing of his balance he turned to his right to find the drop ship making a slow bank and heading back the path they came.’
    • ‘A strong and steady arm swing will balance upper and lower body usage when you run.’
    • ‘Damia waved her arms frantically, almost losing her balance on her steady horse.’
    • ‘Casey's sweet swing, marked by steady balance and a complex routine before he settles in for the pitch, is fueled by loads of natural talent.’
    • ‘He rushed forth with a steady gate, fast but still wary to keep his balance while he negotiated the uncertain terrain beneath his feet.’
    • ‘Relating to waves of movement is what allows us to stay steady and sustain balance.’
    • ‘Reaching the centre of the lake again he held his arm steady, keeping the roots still on the surface.’
    • ‘I held the cup and offered it to Matt, my hand steady as a rock.’
    • ‘I switched my flashguns off and held my camera steady for a slow shutter exposure.’
    • ‘To mention just two problems: It was next to impossible to hold a telescope steady enough on the heaving deck of a small ship to time the eclipses accurately.’
    • ‘‘Stay still,’ she said, and held her face steady firmly with one hand.’
    • ‘I smiled sheepishly at Loganberry as I tried to hold my glass steady, wipe my jacket and shake his hand all at the same time.’
    • ‘Reagan advanced on her, holding his gun steady.’
    • ‘Hold the food steady with the fork whilst cutting it with the knife.’
    stable, balanced, firm, fixed, secure, secured, fast, safe, immovable, unshakeable, dependable
    motionless, still, unshaking, static, stationary, unmoving, sure
    View synonyms
    1. 1.1Not faltering or wavering; controlled.
      ‘a steady gaze’
      ‘she tried to keep her voice steady’
      • ‘Darre turned his cool green eyes on Carl, who faltered under his steady gaze.’
      • ‘John's gaze was steady and unblinking as he stared into his daughter's blazing eyes.’
      • ‘Who could have known that such this young boy possessed such extraordinary fighting skills, much more have it under steady control?’
      • ‘Her fingers faltered from its steady clipping as Adam's sarcastic words filled her mind.’
      • ‘He met the congregation with a steady, unswerving gaze.’
      • ‘Rossiter refused to be intimidated and met Bradley's level gaze, steady in his resolve.’
      • ‘Nicolas' eyes kept a steady gaze on her, making her decidedly nervous.’
      • ‘Its steady gaze tunneled inside me, into my very veins.’
      • ‘Leaning over the bar his eyes sparkle and his gaze is steady.’
      • ‘As pleasure and contentment washed over her, she met his steady gaze, tears of gratitude shining in her eyes.’
      • ‘His lips were tightly pressed together, his eyes wavering to keep steady against hers, and his cheeks were pale.’
      • ‘When I walk up to the back of a crowd of people his eyes shift to mine and his gaze is steady.’
      • ‘The backbeat of the song easily guiding the rock of her hips, her nails raking up the nape of Rae's neck, tangling her fingers through her hair and holding the steady gaze.’
      • ‘Ralph sneered, keeping his icy, steady gaze on me.’
      • ‘Josaitis fixes the audience with her steady gaze.’
      • ‘I straightened my spine and stood back up upon my wobbly legs, with a steady gaze that was all too familiar to me of how Tommy addressed strangers that disapproved of him.’
      • ‘Swallowing, Daphne feels mesmerized as she stares into his steady gaze.’
      • ‘Neither of them looked at me, but kept a steady gaze at each other.’
      • ‘‘There will be a time for grieving later,’ he said, trying to keep his voice steady.’
      • ‘I kept my voice steady, but I wasn't even fooling myself, let alone Aaron.’
      fixed, intent, immovable, immobile, unwavering, unfaltering
      View synonyms
    2. 1.2(of a person) sensible, reliable, and self-restrained.
      ‘a solid, steady young man’
      • ‘He was one of the most sensible and steady people I've known, and not as humourless as that sounds.’
      • ‘That would allow Isaac Smith to remain in the No.3 role, where he's steady and reliable.’
      • ‘Poets are the most down-to-earth, loyal, steady people that have ever been.’
      • ‘Castro gives the team a steady player who should be able to provide reliable backup for Larkin for the remainder of the season, if not longer.’
      • ‘I think the vice president was very steady, very calm, paternal in a good way, if you will.’
      • ‘Roberts isn't a great player, but he's steady and dependable, and a coach can be comfortable with him on the field.’
      • ‘These are not only failures of elementary communication; they are also reactions that fail to inspire confidence that Duncan Smith is steady under pressure.’
      • ‘The Parkville defence suffered an early loss when one of their most steady men in defence, David James had to limp off the field through injury.’
      sensible, level-headed, well balanced, balanced, rational, settled, mature, down-to-earth, full of common sense, stolid, calm, equable, imperturbable, reliable, dependable, sound, sober, serious-minded, responsible, serious
      View synonyms

  • 2Regular, even, and continuous in development, frequency, or intensity.

    ‘a steady decline in the national birth rate’
    ‘sales remain steady’
    • ‘The steady decline and deterioration continued at an accelerated pace.’
    • ‘During the seventeenth century Ireland, continuing its steady decline, came increasingly under England's rule.’
    • ‘Most visitors came to inspect the institution in the first three years of its existence, but a steady stream continued to come in the years following.’
    • ‘Nevertheless, the market continues to welcome a steady stream of fresh punters looking to beat a tracker and join me in the quest for stock market riches.’
    • ‘Paul O'Neill continued his steady decline and was dropped from the third slot in the order.’
    • ‘She experienced a steady decline in the frequency of hot flashes during treatment.’
    • ‘He remained in Edinburgh until his death, continuing to produce a steady stream of high quality papers up to the time of his death.’
    • ‘Throughout his career he continued to publish a steady stream of high quality research papers right up to the time of his death.’
    • ‘Gas prices continued their slow but steady decline.’
    • ‘He continues to show steady progress and is developing the confidence necessary to be successful at the position.’
    • ‘Dublin continues to attract a steady number of visitors.’
    • ‘But as Britain celebrated National Apple Day yesterday a steady stream of visitors were calling at the farm before buying apples as well as home-made jams and jellies.’
    • ‘Ever since this sprawling mansion is thrown open to the public, there is a steady stream of visitors hanging around it - letting their imagination run wild.’
    • ‘The hostel was in the firing line because of a steady decline in visitor numbers and the need for building refurbishments.’
    • ‘His club have taken him to the rarified heights of the Premiership's top three and the international caps continue to flow in a steady stream.’
    • ‘Rising demand meant prices were little changed in July following steady declines since February, the survey said.’
    • ‘The financial results of the bank, which were accepted by the board of directors, reveal that the bank continues to make steady improvements, a press release issued here said.’
    • ‘Ellis' 4.43m record-setting mark on May 22 continues the steady improvement of her performances over the past five years.’
    • ‘In the junior open U - 18 championship the winner was Cian Kilcullen from Enniscrone who continues to make steady progress in the sport.’
    • ‘For the area, this will ensure the continuation of a steady supply of quality employment opportunities.’
    constant, unchanging, changeless, unvarying, invariable, undeviating
    View synonyms
    1. 2.1Not changing; regular and established.
      ‘I thought I'd better get a steady job’
      ‘a steady boyfriend’
      • ‘My boyfriend at the time was not in a steady job and was confused as well.’
      • ‘I've believe the exodus of good steady manufacturing jobs are at the crux of the spiritual disenfranchisement we are experiencing in our nation.’
      • ‘But suddenly, in this economy, nursing looks more attractive, the prospect of a steady job with guaranteed work at the end of a degree.’
      • ‘Even the only steady job the man's ever had reflects his need to be moving - he was a bush pilot, flying supplies and people in and out of civilization in Northern Quebec.’
      • ‘I will also hold a steady job this fall and am lucky because my parents are pretty good about helping me out.’
      • ‘Most of us reading this blog, after all, went to college and/or got nice steady jobs because we had enormous social and familial pressure on us to do so.’
      • ‘Finally, I have a steady job and some money saved up.’
      • ‘This also explains why he lived in such a crummy hovel - obviously he can't hold down a steady job if he's nuts.’
      • ‘The daily grind of life, a demanding family, death of a young, pretty niece due to cancer and no steady job has not diminished his zest for life.’
      • ‘The company offers a steady job with decent pay and great benefits after college.’
      • ‘Her previously steady job in a high street bank was wound up recently after branch ‘restructuring’.’
      • ‘I had a good job with a steady income and a great place to live in.’
      • ‘As soon as he left the unremunerative world of crime for a steady job with the forces of order, he became significantly more intelligent.’
      • ‘The announcement rocked a town that already has suffered a steady loss of manufacturing jobs to low-wage nations such as China and Mexico.’
      • ‘With an economic downturn encompassing the last twenty years, those lacking steady jobs in the formal economy now exceed half the work force.’
      • ‘The father's lack of a steady job, substance abuse, incarceration and domestic violence were among the reasons for not marrying.’
      • ‘Unemployment in Argentina has reached depression levels of over 15 percent, with four million workers having no steady jobs.’
      • ‘He has got a steady job, teaching 22 hours a week, 180 days a year.’
      • ‘I know someone who quit their steady job once because they thought selling property was a breeze and a lot more lucrative than what they were doing.’
      • ‘Soon after, Jack was offered a steady job as a postal worker, but he turned it down in hope that he could support himself solely off of his writing.’
      regular, unchanging, habitual, usual, customary, established, settled, firm, devoted, faithful
      View synonyms
    2. 2.2(of a ship) moving without deviation from its course.
      • ‘Most of the passengers spent the time on the deck, as the ship was very steady despite the storm threat.’
      • ‘You also know to hang on until the boat is steady again.’
      • ‘As she was going to insert some cream on the laser burn, the ship jolted and the lights flickered and the ship was steady again.’
      • ‘Imagine you are standing on a dock, watching a sailing ship move at a steady rate along a river.’
      • ‘Commercial shipping has picked up after a quieter January with a steady flow of ships delivering in the port.’
      • ‘The ship continues to sail on that very steady course.’
      • ‘At first it all seems rather gentle as you drift along with the current, the helmsman steering a steady course, the water only occasionally lapping over the sides of your raft.’
      • ‘The boat gamboled on her steady course, sails billowing and emitting brisk, tolling tones as the wind caught them high.’
      • ‘In spite of the storm, this enormous and exotic black ship nevertheless manages to stay afloat and steady on its course.’
      • ‘Finally, Keirah set a steady course south, following the river.’
      • ‘He set a steady course south, keeping the shore easily in his view.’
      • ‘Normal waves played around the boat, as it made steady on its course into the black night.’
      • ‘The tug and barge had been plying a steady route between the Persian Gulf and Iraq's Khawr Abd Allah waterway for weeks.’
      • ‘He replied rather quickly as he tried to keep the ship steady.’
      • ‘The Blue Horizon was six hours away from Nalirra, and Renny had all the lights on the bridge down to a minimum as he concentrated on keeping the ship steady.’
      • ‘Setting a spinnaker involves keeping the boat steady with the wind behind while the spinnaker sail is raised.’
      • ‘The currents were starting to get tricky and keeping the small craft steady was proving to be a real test for the pilot.’
      • ‘As soon as they got to the peer, Brock and Rainia jumped out and held the boat steady, while Aria and Tyra got out and grabbed everything on the boat.’
      • ‘She strained her shoulder muscles trying to simply keep the ship steady.’
      • ‘These are then used to keep the cruiser steady as water sluices out of the lock.’

verbsteadies, steadying, steadied

  • Make or become steady.

    with object ‘I took a deep breath to steady my nerves’
    no object ‘by May prices had steadied’
    • ‘I buried my head in my hands and tried to take a few steadying deep breaths to calm my nerves.’
    • ‘He took a deep breath, steadying his voice as it rose slowly in hysteria.’
    • ‘She interrupted, taking a deep breath and steadying her legs underneath her.’
    • ‘Taking a deep breath and steadying herself, she went to answer the summons.’
    • ‘Prices steadied on Tuesday, but the concern over future shortages sent Asian markets lower.’
    • ‘The player shortage took its toll on Acorn after the break but Wadsworth steadied the nerves with his fourth try as they hung on to win.’
    • ‘Danny settled down in his seat, closed his eyes and steadied his breathing.’
    • ‘Cale looked through his scope and took slow deep breaths to lower his heartbeat thus steadying his aim.’
    • ‘How long it can endure without King Hussein's steadying presence, no one can say.’
    • ‘Outstripping the York defence, he steadied himself before lashing the ball past Fettis with an unerring finish.’
    • ‘Larkin steadied himself and blasted in a low drive that looked goalbound.’
    • ‘To Rockmount's credit they steadied, and gradually began to battle their way back into the game.’
    • ‘Keats spluttered and coughed to full wakefulness, and steadied himself with a stiff brandy.’
    • ‘Dozens of police officers rushed over and steadied the car, drawing loud boos from the crowd.’
    • ‘This time, Searle steadied himself, took his time, and won the rubber on his second match point.’
    • ‘The breeze steadied as the rain clouds cleared and Zephyr continued a solitary route to the finish line.’
    • ‘He was bending on his knees, steadying himself with his hand on the floor.’
    • ‘Bligh pressed his head against the wall, cooling himself, steadying his pulse.’
    • ‘Hands balanced on the windowsill below his waist were the only things steadying him as he leaned outside.’
    • ‘Livi almost jumped, but caught herself, steadying the tray on which she was carrying some warm soup and a tuna sandwich.’
    stabilize, make steady, hold steady
    calm, calm down, soothe, quieten, quiet, compose, settle, pacify, lull
    View synonyms

exclamation

  • Used as a warning to someone to keep calm or take care.

    ‘Steady now! We don't want you hurting yourself’

nounsteadies

  • 1informal A person's regular boyfriend or girlfriend.

    ‘his steady chucked him two weeks ago’
    • ‘Could it be really possible that they haven't considered all the merits of having a steady (not necessarily permanent) boyfriend.’
    • ‘As usual though, I had to go and ruin it - I found a steady girlfriend.’
    • ‘He recoiled at the thought of allowing his steady girlfriend, Ms Boyle, from taking up more permanent residence in his home, and they went separate ways earlier this year.’
    • ‘Gunn's next stop probably will be a rehab facility in Germany, where his unit is based and he has a steady girlfriend.’
    • ‘None of them wanted to move, especially Charlie who had a steady girlfriend and wanted to stay with her.’
    • ‘We were told that the younger boy now has a steady girlfriend.’
    • ‘Prior to that point, I was the one that always had the steady girlfriend.’
    • ‘In truth, he had had no steady girlfriends, because they found his personality repulsive.’
    • ‘Right now, I don't have a steady girlfriend, but I'm working on it.’
    • ‘It's been a couple of months and I've moved on, no steady girlfriend but I've been out several times and enjoyed myself.’
    • ‘Unlike William, he had never had a steady girlfriend, preferring instead to play the field.’
    • ‘Mike, being the immature guy that he was, had flings, not steady girlfriends.’
    • ‘I remembered he used to go on dates, but I don't remember him ever having a steady girlfriend.’
    sweetheart, loved one, love, true love, lady love, darling, dearest, dear one, lover, girlfriend, boyfriend, young lady, young man, woman friend, lady friend, man friend, beau, admirer, worshipper, inamorata, inamorato
    View synonyms

  • 2A strut for stabilizing a caravan or other vehicle when stationary.

    ‘Sliding contact between the work piece and its support should be avoided, and the use of roller steadies and running centres is recommended.’

Phrases

    go steady
    informal

    • Have a regular romantic or sexual relationship with someone.

      ‘she started going steady with Sebastian’
      • ‘Rebellious older daughter Esti is going steady with a soldier, but they're having a hard time finding privacy.’
      • ‘It's a crush that I'm betting will quickly progress to going steady.’
      • ‘I was so naive, I thought he was using some cool, mature way to describe going steady or going out.’
      • ‘I don't usually go steady with anyone because I would feel like I'm tied down or something.’
      • ‘I did went steady with Zack but that was ancient history.’
      • ‘I was at a beach party and I ended kissing another guy that I had gone steady with before.’
      • ‘In fact, we've been going steady for so long that he's the only guy I ever went out with.’
      • ‘We started dating and going steady and all that.’
      • ‘The long and short of it is he was actually going steady with the most popular girl in the group but didn't have the guts to tell me.’
      • ‘I've already asked her to a dance and she said she already had a date, so I think she's going steady with somebody else.’
    steady on!
    British

    • Used as a way of exhorting someone to calm down or be more reasonable.

      ‘Steady on, Mark! You're talking about my best friend’

Origin

Middle English (in the sense ‘unwavering, without deviation’): from stead+ -y. The verb dates from the mid 16th century.

Pronunciation

steady

/ˈstɛdi/