EnglishMain Dictionary
steady
Universal Words
adjective, verb, adverb, exclamation
adjective (steadier, steadiest)
1 developing, growing, etc. gradually and in an even and regular way:
a steady increase / decline in numbers * five years of steady economic growth * We are making slow but steady progress. * The castle receives a steady stream of visitors.
2 not changing and not interrupted
SYNREGULAR:
His breathing was steady. * a steady job / income * She drove at a steady 50 mph * They set off at a steady pace. * a steady boyfriend / girlfriend (= with whom you have a serious relationship or one that has lasted a long time) * to have a steady relationship
3 firmly fixed, supported or balanced; not shaking or likely to fall down:
He held the boat steady as she got in. * I met his steady gaze. * Such fine work requires a good eye and a steady hand. * She's not very steady on her feet these days.
OPPUNSTEADY
4 (of a person) sensible; who can be relied on
steadily:
The company's exports have been increasing steadily. * The situation got steadily worse. * He looked at her steadily. * The rain fell steadily.
steadiness noun [U]
IDIOMS
(as) steady as a rock extremely steady and calm; that you can rely on
moreatREADYadj.
verb (steadies, steadying, steadied, steadied)
1 ~ (yourself / sb/sth) to stop yourself/sb/sth from moving, shaking or falling; to stop moving, shaking or falling:
[VN] She steadied herself against the wall. * [V] The lift rocked slightly, steadied, and the doors opened.
2 [V] to stop changing and become regular again:
Her heartbeat steadied. * The pound steadied against the dollar.
3 [VN] to make sb/sth calm:
He took a few deep breaths to steady his nerves.
adverb in a way that is steady and does not change or shake:
In trading today the dollar held steady against the yen.
IDIOMS
go steady (with sb) (old-fashioned, informal) to have a romantic or sexual relationship with sb, in which you see the other person regularly:
They've been going steady for a year now.
exclamation (informal)
1 ~ on (becoming old-fashioned) used to tell sb to be careful about what they are saying or doing, for example because it is extreme or not appropriate:
Steady on! You can't say things like that about somebody you've never met.
2 used to tell sb to be careful:
Steady! You're going to fall off that wall if you're not careful.
