# steady

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ˈstɛdi/ · frequency rank #4,272

## Definitions
1. Firm in standing or position; not tottering or shaking; fixed; firm.
2. Constant in feeling, purpose, or pursuit; not fickle, changeable, or wavering; not easily moved or persuaded to alter a purpose; resolute.
3. Smooth and not bumpy or with obstructions.
4. Phlegmatic, calm; not easily upset, excited, or disturbed.
5. Regular and even.
6. Slow.
7. With whom one is going steady.
8. Confident and cool-headed under pressure; competent; reliable, adept.

## Etymology
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 (“constant, continual”), 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”).
Sense 8 of the adjective is a semantic loan from Hokkien 在 (chāi, “steady, confident”).

## Easily confused with
- **study** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/steady-vs-study)
- **steam** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/steady-vs-steam)
- **steal** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/steady-vs-steal)
- **steak** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/steady-vs-steak)
- **stray** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/steady-vs-stray)
- **steed** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/steady-vs-steed)
- **steals** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/steady-vs-steals)
- **sweaty** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/steady-vs-sweaty)
- **sturdy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/steady-vs-sturdy)
- **steaks** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/steady-vs-steaks)
- **steamy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/steady-vs-steamy)
- **steely** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/steady-vs-steely)
- **stay** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/stay-vs-steady)
- **shady** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/shady-vs-steady)
- **Stacy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/stacy-vs-steady)
- **stead** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/stead-vs-steady)
- **seedy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/seedy-vs-steady)
- **stade** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/stade-vs-steady)
- **speedy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/speedy-vs-steady)
- **sneaky** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sneaky-vs-steady)

## Common misspellings (9)
`setady`, `ssteady`, `staedy`, `steaddy`, `steadyy`, `steayd`, `steday`, `stteady`, `tseady`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/steady