steady
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steady
- /ˈstɛdi/
- /ˈstɪdi/ US, dated, nonstandard, possibly, regional
- /ˈstʌdi/ US, dated, nonstandard, possibly, regional
Rhymes with -ɛdi
Where it comes from
From Middle English stedy, studi, stidiȝ, perhaps continuing Old English stæþþiġ, ġestæþþiġ (“steadfast, stable, firm, staid”), equivalent to stead + -y; or calquing Middle Low German or Middle Dutch stēdig. Cognate with Saterland Frisian stoadig (“steady”), West Frisian stadich (“slow”), Danish stedig, stadig, steeg, Swedish stadig, Icelandic stöðugur, German stätig, stetig.
Compare also Old English ġestedegian (“to bring to a standstill”) and Dutch steeds (“more and more”).
Adjective sense 8 is a semantic loan from Singapore Hokkien 在 (chāi, “confident, skilled”, literally “steady”).
adjective steadier · steadiest · steddy · stedy
- Firm in standing or position; not tottering or shaking; fixed; firm. Hold the ladder steady while I go up.
- 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
- Smooth and not bumpy or with obstructions. a steady ride
- Phlegmatic, calm; not easily upset, excited, or disturbed. a steady tone of voice
- Regular and even. the steady course of the Sun; a steady breeze of wind
- Slow.
- With whom one is going steady. I have been trying to remember what other porn movies I've seen. I know that I should be able to recall many a title as, When I was eighteen, my steady girlfriend and I would go to drive-in theatres and half-watch them all the time.
- Confident and cool-headed under pressure; competent; reliable, adept. You get it right too many times. Your viewers must think you're damn solid, right? Get so many right on TV, steady lah, ang moh, they say, right? Fame gone to your head, is it?
Similar: staunch, unyielding, uniform, unvarying, ponderous, stately, consistent, equable, equal, even, even-keeled, monotonous
verb steadies · steadying · steadied · steddy · stedy
- To stabilize; to prevent from shaking. I took a drink to steady my nerves.
- To become stable. The ship steadied in the air. Another spray of ballast came, heavier than the last.
particle steddy · stedy
- Aspect marker indicating consistency or intensity. Why you steady cappin'?
noun steadies · steddy · stedy
- A rest or support, as for the hand, a tool, or a piece of work.
- A regular boyfriend or girlfriend; somebody to go steady with. “Dalton is my steady, now. If I break up with him, you're the first on the list.” “Thanks,” said Ted. “What a privilege to be second choice.”
- A prostitute's regular customer. 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 steddy · stedy
- 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.
interjection steddy · stedy
- Alright!, way to go!, nice!
