adjective / verb
steady
Firm, regular, or stable, or to make or become so.
She keeps a steady hand as she paints the narrow lines.
Etymology
The place-word supplies an image of remaining fixed in position. Steady extends that firmness to regular behavior, motion, or performance.
More examples
- We walk at a steady pace along the trail.
- He steadies the ladder while I climb.
- Her breathing steadies after a few minutes of rest.
Forms
steady · steadier · steadiest · steadies · steadied · steadying
steadily adverb — In a firm, regular, or stable way.
steadiness noun — The quality of being firm, regular, or stable.
Similar words
- stable
- Emphasizes resistance to change, collapse, or loss of balance.
- consistent
- Emphasizes sameness across repeated actions, results, or periods.
- stabilize
- Means to make or become stable, often after fluctuation.