# steer

> English word · Verb · IPA /stɪə/ · frequency rank #10,938

## Definitions
1. To guide the course of a vessel, vehicle, aircraft etc. (by means of a device such as a rudder, paddle, or steering wheel).
2. To guide the course of a vessel, vehicle, aircraft etc. (by means of a device such as a rudder, paddle, or steering wheel).
3. To be directed and governed; to take a direction, or course; to obey the helm.
4. To direct a group of animals.
5. To maneuver or manipulate a person or group into a place or course of action.
6. To conduct oneself; to take or pursue a course of action.
7. To direct a conversation.
8. To direct or send an object into a specific place

## Etymology
Inherited from Middle English steeren, steren, stiren, sturen, steoren, from Old English stēoran, stīeran, stȳran (“to steer; guide a vessel”), from Proto-West Germanic *stiurijan (“to steer”), from Proto-Germanic *stiurijaną (“to steer”).
The noun is from Middle English steere, stere (“rudder”), steor, from Old English stēor, stȳr (“steering; guidance; direction”). Compare Dutch stuur, German Steuer, Icelandic stýri.

## Easily confused with
- **STR** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/steer-vs-str)
- **stem** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/steer-vs-stem)
- **stir** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/steer-vs-stir)
- **stew** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/steer-vs-stew)
- **super** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/steer-vs-super)
- **sweet** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/steer-vs-sweet)
- **steps** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/steer-vs-steps)
- **Steve** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/steer-vs-steve)
- **swear** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/steer-vs-swear)
- **sweep** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/steer-vs-sweep)
- **stern** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/steer-vs-stern)
- **stein** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/steer-vs-stein)
- **Steph** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/steer-vs-steph)
- **stent** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/steer-vs-stent)
- **strep** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/steer-vs-strep)
- **stews** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/steer-vs-stews)
- **street** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/steer-vs-street)
- **Steven** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/steer-vs-steven)
- **stereo** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/steer-vs-stereo)
- **stoner** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/steer-vs-stoner)

## Common misspellings (7)
`seter`, `ssteer`, `steerr`, `ster`, `stere`, `stteer`, `tseer`

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