English Reference

Word

steady

Phoneticssteady

US/ˈstɛdi/

UK/stˈɛdi/

Definitions

01firm and not shaking

B1 · Intermediate

adj. firm and not shaking or moving.

adj. firm in standing or position; not tottering, shaking, or easily displaced.

“You need a steady hand to paint the fine details on the model.”

“The photographer used a tripod to ensure the camera remained steady during the long exposure required for the night sky.”

Synonyms

Antonyms

02regular and consistent

B1 · Intermediate

adj. happening in a smooth, gradual, and regular way.

adj. developing, moving, or happening in a smooth, gradual, and regular manner without sudden changes.

“The company has seen a steady increase in sales over the last three years.”

“Despite the economic downturn, the firm maintained a steady pace of production to meet its long-term contractual obligations.”

Antonyms

03calm and reliable

B2 · Upper Intermediate

adj. calm and not easily upset or excited.

adj. not easily upset, excited, or disturbed; showing emotional stability and reliability.

“He is a steady person who stays calm even when things go wrong.”

“The captain was known for his steady nerves, which allowed him to navigate the vessel through the storm without panic.”

Synonyms

calmcomposedlevel-headed

Antonyms

04to make stable

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to stop something from shaking or falling.

v. to make something stable or to stop it from shaking or moving.

“She reached out to steady herself against the wall when the bus stopped suddenly.”

“The central bank took immediate action to steady the markets after the unexpected election results caused a sharp currency drop.”

Antonyms

05romantic partner

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Informal

n. a regular boyfriend or girlfriend.

n. a regular romantic partner with whom one has a committed relationship.

“He brought his steady to the high school dance.”

“In the mid-twentieth century, the act of 'going steady' was a significant social milestone for teenagers in the United States.”

06at a constant rate

B2 · Upper Intermediate

adv. in a way that is regular and does not change.

adv. in a continuous, regular, or habitual manner.

“The rain fell steady all afternoon, soaking the garden.”

“The engine hummed steady throughout the night, providing a reassuring background noise for the crew on watch.”

Collocations

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “steady” in context.

Verb

01. bring your steady

“You are more than welcome to bring your steady to the family picnic this weekend.”

verb + possessive + noun

02. find a steady

“She was tired of casual dating and really wanted to find a steady.”

verb + noun

03. go with a steady

“Back in the 1950s, it was very common for teenagers to go with a steady for several years.”

verb + prep + noun

04. have a steady

“Does he have a steady, or is he still dating different people?”

verb + noun

Adjective

05. long-term steady

“He introduced Sarah as his long-term steady at the high school reunion.”

adj + noun

Preposition

06. without a steady

“She enjoyed her independence and was happy living without a steady for a while.”

prep + noun

Usage

Typically used with a possessive pronoun like 'my' or 'her'.

Real-World Examples

“Your body is trying to keep your core temperature steady at about 37 degrees celsius.”
BBC News 8 Jul 2026
“In contrast, 41% of all men invest, which holds steady at 40% of those under 45.”
BBC News 10 Aug 2026

Word family

NOUN

Steady(B2)

Idioms

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
Frequency
Common
Level
B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
Updated

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