steady

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English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Middle English stede, stedi, stidiʒ, from Old English stæþþiġ, from stæþ (“stead, bank”); equivalent to stathe +‎ -y or stead +‎ -y. Cognate with West Frisian stadich (“slow”), Danish stedig, stadig, steeg, Swedish stadig, Icelandic stöðugur, Middle Dutch stedigh, German stätig, stetig.

Pronunciation

  • enPR: stĕdʹi, IPA(key): /ˈstɛdi/
  • Audio (US)(file)

Adjective

steady (comparative steadier, superlative steadiest)

  1. Firm in standing or position; not tottering or shaking; fixed; firm.
    Hold the ladder steady while I go up.
    • (Can we date this quote by Sir Philip Sidney and provide title, author’s full name, and other details?)
      Their feet steady, their hands diligent, their eyes watchful, and their hearts resolute.
    • 1879, R[ichard] J[efferies], chapter 1, in The Amateur Poacher, London: Smith, Elder, & Co., […], →OCLC:
      But then I had the flintlock by me for protection. ¶ There were giants in the days when that gun was made; for surely no modern mortal could have held that mass of metal steady to his shoulder. The linen-press and a chest on the top of it formed, however, a very good gun-carriage; and, thus mounted, aim could be taken out of the window, […].
    • Template:RQ:EHough PrqsPrc
      Captain Edward Carlisle, soldier as he was, martinet as he was, felt a curious sensation of helplessness seize upon him as he met her steady gaze, her alluring smile ; he could not tell what this prisoner might do.
  2. Constant in feeling, purpose, or pursuit; not fickle, changeable, or wavering; not easily moved or persuaded to alter a purpose; resolute.
    a man steady in his principles, in his purpose, or in the pursuit of an object
  3. Smooth and not bumpy or with obstructions.
    a steady ride
  4. Regular and even.
    the steady course of the Sun;  a steady breeze of wind
  5. Slow.

Antonyms

Derived terms

Translations

Verb

steady (third-person singular simple present steadies, present participle steadying, simple past and past participle steadied)

  1. To stabilize something; to prevent from shaking.

Translations

Noun

steady (plural steadies)

  1. A rest or support, as for the hand, a tool, or a piece of work.
  2. (informal) A regular boyfriend or girlfriend.
  3. (informal) A prostitute's regular customer.
    • 2013, Sheila Foster, Soho Whore:
      Some of my steadies wanted me to go out with them on a date. Occasionally I let one of them take me to a film or out for a meal.

Adverb

steady (not comparable)

  1. (rowing, informal) To row with pressure at a low stroke-rating, often 18 strokes per minute.
    After the sprint pieces, we rowed steady for the rest of practice.

Further reading

Anagrams

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