Steady has 14 different meanings across 4 categories:
a person loved by another person
"After years of dating, she finally found her steady and asked him to marry her."
A rest or support, as for the hand, a tool, or a piece of work.
"The carpenter secured the heavy saw to a wooden steady before making his precise cuts."
In plain English: A steady is someone who stays loyal and reliable to you over time without changing their mind.
"The new job has given him more than enough steady work to support his family."
To stabilize; to prevent from shaking.
"The nurse gently steadied his arm so he would not shake while taking the injection."
In plain English: To steady something means to make it stop shaking so that it stays still and balanced.
"The nurse steadily held his hand while he was in pain."
not subject to change or variation especially in behavior
"a steady beat"
"a steady job"
"a steady breeze"
"a steady increase"
"a good steady ballplayer"
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
"firm convictions"
"a firm mouth"
"steadfast resolve"
"a man of unbendable perseverence"
"unwavering loyalty"
Firm in standing or position; not tottering or shaking; fixed; firm.
"The old oak tree stood steady against the violent wind without swaying an inch."
In plain English: Steady means not shaking, moving smoothly without stopping, or staying calm and reliable over time.
Usage: Use "steady" to describe something that is stable and free from shaking, such as holding your breath steady during exercise. It often pairs with verbs like hold, keep, or make when emphasizing firmness in position rather than speed or consistency over time.
To row with pressure at a low stroke-rating, often 18 strokes per minute.
"The coxswain ordered the crew to steady as they pushed hard through the final stretch of the race."
In plain English: Steady means doing something slowly and carefully so you don't make any mistakes.
"She walked steadily through the rain without slipping."
The word steady comes from Middle English and originally meant "steadfast" or "firm." It likely entered the language as a combination of stead plus the suffix -y, possibly influenced by similar words in Low German or Dutch.