steady
/'stedi/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective:
- Not easily moved, disturbed, or changed; firm in position or state: Describes something physically stable or not shaking.
- Regular, even, and continuous in development, frequency, or degree: Describes an action, process, or condition that is consistent and without sudden changes.
- Sensible, reliable, and dependable in character or behavior: Describes a person who is emotionally calm, resolute, and not given to erratic changes.
Adverb:
- In a firm, stable, or consistent manner: Used to describe how an action is performed.
Noun:
- (Informal) A regular boyfriend or girlfriend: A person's regular romantic partner.
Verb:
- To make or become steady, stable, or calm: To stop something from moving or shaking, or to become stable and calm.
Usage Examples
Adjective:
- Hold the ladder steady while I climb. (Keep the ladder firm and not moving.)
- He has a steady job with a good income. (He has a regular, reliable job.)
- She is a very steady person in a crisis. (She is calm and dependable during difficult times.)
Adverb:
- The ship sailed steady through the rough seas. (The ship sailed in a stable, controlled manner.)
Noun:
- He's been her steady for two years. (He has been her regular boyfriend for two years.)
Verb:
- She took a deep breath to steady her nerves before the speech. (She breathed deeply to make herself calm.)
- He steadied the camera on the tripod. (He made the camera stable on the tripod.)
Advanced Usage
"To go steady (with someone)": To date someone exclusively.
- They started going steady in high school. (They began an exclusive romantic relationship in high school.)
"Steady as a rock": Extremely stable, reliable, or unwavering.
- His support during the project was steady as a rock. (His support was completely dependable.)
"Steady on!": An exclamation meaning "Be careful!", "Slow down!", or "Stop!".
- Steady on! You're driving too fast! (Be careful! You're driving too fast!)
Variants and Related Words
Steadily (adverb): In a steady manner.
- Prices have been rising steadily. (Prices have been increasing in a consistent, gradual way.)
Steadiness (noun): The quality of being steady.
- The steadiness of his hand was remarkable. (His ability to keep his hand from shaking was impressive.)
Synonyms
- Adjective: Stable, firm, constant, regular, unwavering, dependable.
- Verb: Stabilize, brace, calm, secure.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Steady down: To become calmer or more settled.
- The children finally steadied down after the exciting game. (The children finally became calm after the exciting game.)
Related Idioms
- Slow and steady wins the race: Consistency and perseverance, rather than speed, lead to success.
- He worked on the project methodically, believing that slow and steady wins the race. (He worked consistently, believing that persistence leads to success.)
Adjective
- not easily excited or upset
- steady nerves
- relating to a person who does something regularly
- a regular customer
- a steady drinker
- marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
- firm convictions
- a firm mouth
- steadfast resolve
- a man of unbendable perseverence
- unwavering loyalty
- securely in position; not shaky
- held the ladder steady
- not liable to fluctuate or especially to fall
- stocks are still firm
- not subject to change or variation especially in behavior
- a steady beat
- a steady job
- a steady breeze
- a steady increase
- a good steady ballplayer
Adverb
- in a steady manner
- he could still walk steadily
Noun
- a person loved by another person
Verb
- support or hold steady and make steadfast, with or as if with a brace
- brace your elbows while working on the potter's wheel
- make steady
- steady yourself