steady

Adjective

steady (comparative steadier, superlative steadiest)

1. Firm in standing or position; not tottering or shaking; fixed; firm.
   • Hold the ladder steady while I go up.
   • Their feet steady, their hands diligent, their eyes watchful, and their hearts resolute.a. 1587, Philippe Sidnei [i.e., Philip Sidney], “(please specify the folio)”, in [Fulke Greville; Matthew Gwinne; John Florio], editors, The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia [The New Arcadia], London...

   Synonyms:

   robust, solid, untottering, level, sure

2. 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

   Synonyms:

   dogged

3. Smooth and not bumpy or with obstructions.
   • a steady ride

   Synonyms:

   fluid

4. Phlegmatic, calm; not easily upset, excited, or disturbed.
   • a steady tone of voice
   • Thy ſteddy Temper, Portius,
     Can look on Guilt, Rebellion, Fraud, and Cæſar,
     In the calm Lights of mild Philoſophy;
     I’m tortured, ev’n to Madneſs, when I think
     On the proud Victor: […]1712 (date written), [Joseph] Addison, Cato, a Tragedy. […], London: […] J[acob] Tonson, […], published 1713, →OCLC, Act I, scene i, page 1

   Synonyms:

   even-tempered

5. Regular and even.
   • the steady course of the Sun; a steady breeze of wind
   • The rebuilding of damaged stations is proceeding slowly, on account of the shortage of building materials and the pressing needs of housing, but steady progress is being made.1951 March, E. J. Tyler, “Post-War Recovery on the Netherlands Railways”, in Railway Magazine, page 157

   Synonyms:

   constant

6. Slow.

   Synonyms:

   glacial

7. (dated, informal) 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.1979 August 25, Pat M. Kuras, “Post Card Sex”, in Gay Community News, volume 7, number 6, page 12
8. (Singapore, Singlish, predicative) 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?2010, Neil Humphreys, chapter 10, in Match Fixer, Marshall Cavendish International, →ISBN, page 112

   Synonyms:

   steady pom pi pi, solid

Verb

steady (third-person singular simple present steadies, present participle steadying, simple past and past participle steadied)

1. (figuratively, sometimes, transitive) To stabilize; to prevent from shaking.
   • I took a drink to steady my nerves.
2. (intransitive) To become stable.
   • The ship steadied in the air. Another spray of ballast came, heavier than the last.2010, Scott Westerfeld, Leviathan

Particle

steady

1. (African-American Vernacular) Aspect marker indicating consistency or intensity.
   • Why you steady cappin'?

Noun

steady (plural steadies)

1. A rest or support, as for the hand, a tool, or a piece of work.
2. (informal) 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.”2002, Frederick E. Von Burg, Keep My White Sneakers, Kit Carson, iUniverse, →ISBN, page 13
3. (informal) 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.2013, Sheila Foster, Soho Whore

Adverb

steady (not comparable)

1. (informal) 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

1. (Singlish) Alright!, way to go!, nice!