/ ˈstedi; NAmE / adjective , verb , adverb , exclamation
■ adjective ( stead·ier , steadi·est )
1.
developing, growing, etc. gradually and in an even and regular way
SYN constant :
five years of steady economic growth
a steady decline in numbers
We are making slow but steady progress.
The castle receives a steady stream of visitors.
2.
not changing and not interrupted
SYN regular :
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 .
OPP unsteady
4.
( of a person ) sensible; who can be relied on
► stead·ily adverb :
The company's exports have been increasing steadily.
The situation got steadily worse.
He looked at her steadily.
The rain fell steadily.
► steadi·ness noun [ U ]
•
IDIOMS
- (as) steady as a rock
—more at ready adjective
■ verb ( stead·ies , steady·ing , stead·ied , stead·ied )
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)
■ 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! Don't fall off.
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (in the sense unwavering, without deviation ): from stead + -y . The verb dates from the mid 16th cent.