unsteady

English

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ǝn'stɛdı/

  Rhymes: -ɛdi

Etymology

Created by adding the prefix un- to steady. Like steady, the word first appeared in English around 1530. The word is comparable to the Old Frisian onstedich, the Low German unstadig etc.

Adjective

unsteady (comparative unsteadier, superlative unsteadiest)

1. Not held firmly in position.
2. Noted for lack of regularity or uniformity.
3. Inconstant in purpose, or volatile in behaviour.

Antonyms

• steady

Translations

not held in position

Swedish: ostadig

lacking regularity

Swedish: ostadig

inconstant in purpose or volatile in behavior

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Translations to be checked

French: instable (fr), branlant, fébrile German: unstet (de)

Portuguese: oscilante;volúvel; inconsistente

Verb

unsteady (third-person singular simple present unsteadies, present participle unsteadying, simple past and past participle unsteadied)

1. To render unsteady, removing balance.