steady

1 of 4

adjective

steadier; steadiest
1
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
2
: showing little variation or fluctuation : stable, uniform
a steady breeze
steady prices
3
a
: not easily disturbed or upset
steady nerves
b(1)
: constant in feeling, principle, purpose, or attachment
steady friends
(2)
c
: not given to dissipation : sober
steadily adverb
steadiness noun

steady

2 of 4

verb

steadied; steadying

transitive verb

: to make or keep steady

intransitive verb

: to become steady
steadier noun

steady

3 of 4

adverb

1
: in a steady manner : steadily
2
: on the course set
used as a direction to the helmsman of a ship

steady

4 of 4

noun

plural steadies
: one that is steady
specifically : a boyfriend or girlfriend with whom one goes steady
Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of steady in a Sentence

Adjective She used a tripod to keep the camera steady. Painting takes a steady hand and a good eye. Prices have remained steady over the last month. He finally has a steady job. They do a steady business at the restaurant. There has been a steady increase in prices. I am making steady progress on refinishing the basement. There was a steady rain all day. We've received a steady stream of donations. Verb He steadied the gun and fired. She used a tripod to steady the camera. The doctor gave her medication to help steady her heart rate. Her heart rate had been erratic but eventually steadied. Prices have steadied in recent months.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Slow and steady is the way to go when taking a cold shower. Audrey Noble, Vogue, 23 Nov. 2024 Having proof of a steady income can significantly improve your chances of securing financing, even with low credit. True Tamplin, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Verb
This story of a man (Hanks) who decides to kill himself by throwing himself into a volcano before being interrupted by a series of increasingly odd events has its own goofy rhythm that Hanks steadies and smooths out, though maybe a little too much. Tim Grierson, Vulture, 2 Nov. 2024 Although markets have steadied since the brief August slump, fueled by an unwinding of the yen carry trade and weaker-than-expected U.S. labor market data, worries remain, according to the fund. Hakyung Kim, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2024
Adverb
The latest housing statistics show single-family sales holding pretty steady over the year (through August). Laura Layden, USA TODAY, 25 Sep. 2024 The stock has steady climbed over the period from more capital flowing into defensive stocks, and investors hopes that the Federal Reserve will lower interest rates in September. Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2024
Noun
The state’s biggest health system had unrivaled clout with doctors and insurers, guaranteeing a steady of flow of patients. Globe Columnist, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Sep. 2023 Make sure to keep your pelvis steady and your back straight. Mallory Creveling, Health, 23 Feb. 2023 See all Example Sentences for steady 

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English stedy, from stede

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1530, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Adverb

circa 1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1792, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of steady was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near steady

Cite this Entry

“Steady.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/steady. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

steady

1 of 4 adjective
steadier; steadiest
1
a
: firm in position : fixed
b
: direct or sure in movement
took steady aim
2
a
: regular entry 1 sense 3, uniform
a steady pace
b
: not changing much : stable
steady prices
3
a
: not easily moved or upset : resolute
b
: constant in feeling, principle, purpose, or attachment : dependable
steadily adverb
steadiness noun

steady

2 of 4 verb
steadied; steadying
: to make, keep, or become steady

steady

3 of 4 adverb
: in a steady manner : steadily

steady

4 of 4 noun
plural steadies
: one that is steady
especially : a boyfriend or girlfriend with whom one goes steady

More from Merriam-Webster on steady

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