From stead + -y, calquing Middle Low German or Middle Dutch stēdig.

• enPR: stĕdʹi, IPA: /ˈstɛdi/
• enPR: stĭdʹi, stŭdʹi, IPA: /ˈstɪdi/, /ˈstʌdi/

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.

   • 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: […] [John Windet] for William Ponsonbie, published 1590, →OCLC ↗:

     Their feet steady, their hands diligent, their eyes watchful, and their hearts resolute.

   • 1879, R[ichard] J[efferies], chapter 1, in The Amateur Poacher, London: Smith, Elder, & Co., […], →OCLC ↗:

     But then I had the flintlock by me for protection. ¶ There were giants in the days when that gun was made; for surely no modern mortal could have held that mass of metal steady to his shoulder. The linen-press and a chest on the top of it formed, however, a very good gun-carriage; and, thus mounted, aim could be taken out of the window, […].

   • 1910, Emerson Hough, chapter I, in The Purchase Price: Or The Cause of Compromise, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC ↗:

     Captain Edward Carlisle, soldier as he was, martinet as he was, felt a curious sensation of helplessness seize upon him as he met her steady gaze, her alluring smile ; he could not tell what this prisoner might do.

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

3. Smooth and not bumpy or with obstructions.

   a steady ride

4. Regular and even.

   the steady course of the Sun;  a steady breeze of wind

5. Slow.
6. (informal, dated) With whom one is going steady.

• (firm) robust, solid, untottering
• (constant in purpose or action) dogged, staunch, unyielding; see also Thesaurus:obstinate
• (smooth, not bumpy) fluid
• (regular and even) constant, uniform, unvarying; see also Thesaurus:steady
• (slow) glacial, ponderous, stately; see also Thesaurus:slow

• (antonym(s) of “regular and even”): unsteady; see also Thesaurus:unsteady

• Italian: fermo, saldo, fidato, sicuro
• Portuguese: estável

• Italian: costante, regolare
• Spanish: firme

• French: lisse
• German: stetig
• Italian: uniforme, regolare
• Russian: усто́йчивый
• Spanish: liso

• French: régulier
• German: stetig
• Italian: stabile
• Portuguese: regular
• Russian: усто́йчивый
• Spanish: firme, fijo

steady (steadies, present participle steadying; simple past and past participle steadied)

1. (transitive, sometimes, figurative) To stabilize; to prevent from shaking.

   I took a drink to steady my nerves.

2. (intransitive) To become stable.
   • 2010, Scott Westerfeld, Leviathan:

     The ship steadied in the air. Another spray of ballast came, heavier than the last.

• German: stabilisieren
• Portuguese: estabilizar

1. (AAVE) Aspect marker indicating consistency or intensity.

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.
3. (informal) A prostitute's regular customer.

steady (not comparable)

1. (rowing, 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.