steady
gb/stˈɛdi/ us/stˈɛdi/
A2
Inglês
~ 7200
Aceções
0 aceções
adjective
A2
property
1
firm, not shaking or moving
not moving or shaking; held firm and still
Padrão de uso:
[something] is steady / hold [something] steady
Erro comum:
Learners sometimes say *"the table is very stable"* in everyday conversation where *"steady"* or *"firm"* is more natural. *"Stable"* is correct but can sound more technical. Also, many learners confuse *"steady"* (not moving or shaking) with *"ready"* (prepared).
Sinónimos
stable (Often used for physical objects but also for systems; slightly more technical in some contexts.)
|
firm (Emphasizes being strongly fixed or not easily moved when touched or pushed.)
Antónimos
unsteady (Direct opposite; suggests shaking, wobbling, or being likely to fall.)
|
shaky (Focuses on visible small movements and lack of control, especially of hands or legs.)
Colocações
hold [something] steady
|keep the camera steady
|a steady hand
|a steady surface
|the ladder is steady
|stand steady
Temas
daily life
|physical actions
|core_vocabulary
Exemplos
- Keep the ladder steady while I climb up.
- Her hands were steady as she drew the fine lines.
- Place the bowl on a steady surface before you start mixing.
- The photographer tried to hold the camera steady in the wind.
- He stood steady on the rocking boat and didn’t lose his balance.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- Please hold the table steady.
- My hand is not steady when I write.
- The chair is steady and does not move.
- She can walk steady on the narrow wall.
- Is this box steady on the top shelf?
adjective
B1
property
2
not changing much over time
staying almost the same in speed, level, or amount
Padrão de uso:
[something] is steady / remain steady / a steady [rate/pace/level]
Erro comum:
Learners sometimes use *"steady"* when they mean *"regular"* in time, saying *"a steady meeting every Monday"*. In this case *"regular meeting"* or *"weekly meeting"* is better, because *"steady"* focuses on level or rate, not simply being on a schedule.
Sinónimos
constant (Very similar; often slightly more formal or mathematical.)
|
stable (Common for prices, markets, or conditions that do not change much.)
Antónimos
variable (Emphasizes frequent or unpredictable changes in level or amount.)
|
erratic (Suggests irregular, often sudden and surprising changes.)
Colocações
a steady pace
|steady growth
|steady progress
|steady demand
|remain steady
|keep a steady speed
Temas
business
|science
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|time
Exemplos
- She worked at a steady pace all afternoon.
- The company has shown steady growth over the last five years.
- Despite the news, demand for the product has remained steady.
- There has been a steady increase in online sales.
- The patient’s heart rate is steady and normal now.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- The rain was light but steady all day.
- He drove at a steady speed on the highway.
- Her English is getting better at a steady rate.
- The price of bread stayed steady this year.
- The child made steady progress in reading.
adjective
B1
property
3
having regular, secure work or income
describing a job or money that comes regularly and is not likely to stop soon
Padrão de uso:
a steady [job/income/work]
Erro comum:
Learners sometimes say *"sure job"* or *"strong job"* when they mean *"steady job"* or *"secure job"*. Use *"steady"* when you want to say the job or income continues regularly over time.
Sinónimos
secure (Stresses that the job or income is safe and unlikely to be lost.)
|
regular (Focuses on the predictable timing of pay or work rather than its safety.)
Antónimos
temporary (Describes work that is short-term or only for a limited period.)
|
unstable (Indicates that the job or income may stop or change suddenly.)
Colocações
a steady job
|steady work
|steady income
|steady paycheck
|steady employment
|find steady work
Temas
work
|money
|daily life
|finance
Exemplos
- After years of short contracts, he finally got a steady job.
- She needs a steady income before applying for a mortgage.
- Many artists struggle to find steady work.
- The company offers steady employment with good benefits.
- Without a steady paycheck, it’s hard to plan for the future.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- He is happy because he has a steady job now.
- She wants steady work so she can pay her bills.
- A steady income helps them feel safe.
- My brother does not have steady work at the moment.
- They hope to find steady jobs in the city.
adjective
B2
property
4
calm, serious, and reliable person
calm and reliable, not changing quickly or acting in a crazy way
Padrão de uso:
a steady [person/leader/partner] / be steady
Erro comum:
Learners sometimes confuse *"steady"* with *"serious"*. A person can be serious but still not reliable. *"Steady"* focuses on being calm and consistent, not just not laughing.
Sinónimos
reliable (Highlights that you can trust the person to do what they say.)
|
level-headed (Emphasizes calm, sensible thinking, especially in stressful situations.)
Antónimos
unstable (Suggests emotional swings or unpredictable behavior.)
|
impulsive (Describes someone who acts suddenly without thinking, the opposite of steady and careful.)
Colocações
a steady person
|a steady partner
|steady leadership
|mentally steady
|emotionally steady
|be steady under pressure
Temas
personality
|emotions
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Exemplos
- She’s a steady worker who never misses a deadline.
- We need a steady leader during this crisis.
- He may not be exciting, but he’s very steady and kind.
- Her voice was steady as she delivered the bad news.
- Despite the chaos around him, he remained steady and focused.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- My father is a very steady man.
- We want a steady person for this job.
- Her voice was steady, not shaking.
- He is calm and steady in difficult times.
- She is steady and does not change her mind quickly.
Verbo
B2
action
5
make something stable or calm
to make something less shaky, less moving, or more calm
Padrão de uso:
to steady [something] / steady [someone]'s [hand/nerves]
Erro comum:
Learners sometimes say *"make it steady"* in situations where a single verb is more natural, as in *"steady the ladder"*. Both are understandable, but English often prefers the verb *"steady"* here.
Sinónimos
stabilize (More formal and technical; often used for systems, markets, or medical situations.)
|
calm (Used especially for emotions or behavior rather than physical movement.)
Antónimos
shake (To move something up and down or side to side, the opposite of making it steady.)
|
disturb (To upset or interrupt calm or stability.)
Colocações
steady the ladder
|steady the camera
|steady your hand
|steady her breathing
|steady his nerves
|steady the boat
Temas
physical actions
|emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Exemplos
- He put a hand on the rail to steady himself.
- She took a deep breath to steady her nerves before speaking.
- Can you steady the ladder while I go up?
- The nurse tried to steady the patient’s hand for the injection.
- He steadied the camera against the wall to get a clear shot.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- He held the boy’s arm to steady him.
- She closed her eyes to steady her mind.
- Please steady the table while I cut the cake.
- He drank some water to steady his voice.
- I used the wall to steady myself.
Verbo
B2
action
6
become stable or calm
to become less shaky, less moving, or more calm
Padrão de uso:
[something] steadies / [something] began to steady
Erro comum:
Learners sometimes use only *"get stable"* or *"become stable"*. These are correct, but in many natural phrases like *"his breathing steadied"* or *"the plane steadied"*, English prefers the verb *"steady"*.
Sinónimos
stabilize (Often slightly more formal; common in business or technical language.)
|
settle (Can mean to become calmer or more fixed after some movement or trouble.)
Antónimos
worsen (For conditions, markets, or health, the opposite of becoming more stable.)
|
flare up (For emotions or problems, means to suddenly become worse again instead of steadying.)
Colocações
his breathing steadied
|her voice steadied
|the plane steadied
|the market is steadying
|prices are beginning to steady
|the boat steadied
Temas
emotions
|health
|business
|core_vocabulary
Exemplos
- Her breathing slowly steadied after the shock.
- The plane rocked for a moment and then steadied.
- After last year’s fall, the housing market has begun to steady.
- His hands finally steadied enough to sign the document.
- The situation is starting to steady after weeks of unrest.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- His voice steadied after a few seconds.
- The boat shook, then it steadied.
- After the bad news, things are slowly steadying.
- The patient’s heart rate has steadied now.
- The company’s sales are beginning to steady.
interjection
informal
B2
action
7
warning to be careful or calm
said to tell someone to be more careful, slower, or calmer
Padrão de uso:
Steady! / Steady, [name/you].
Erro comum:
Learners sometimes think *"steady"* here is a normal adjective and try to say *"Be steady!"* in the same way. In many situations, native speakers simply say *"Steady!"* or *"Steady on!"* as a fixed spoken warning.
Sinónimos
easy (In spoken English, used similarly to tell someone or an animal to be gentle or slow.)
Antónimos
hurry up (Encourages speed instead of slowing down or being careful.)
Colocações
Steady there!
|Steady on!
|Easy, steady now
|Whoa, steady!
|Steady, guys
Temas
spoken
|emotions
|physical actions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Exemplos
- Steady, don’t rush it or you’ll drop it.
- Steady on, that comment was a bit harsh.
- Steady there, the floor is wet and slippery.
- Whoa, steady! The dog isn’t going to hurt you.
- Steady now, lift it together on three.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- Steady, the baby is sleeping.
- Steady on, I did not mean to be rude.
- Steady there, the box is very heavy.
- Steady, walk slowly on the ice.
- Steady now, try again.
Nome
informal
C1
entity
8
exclusive boyfriend or girlfriend
a person you go out with regularly as your only boyfriend or girlfriend
Padrão de uso:
[someone]'s steady / be [someone]'s steady
Erro comum:
Learners rarely use this noun and may confuse it with the adjective. In modern English, it can sound old-fashioned, so *"boyfriend"*, *"girlfriend"*, or *"partner"* are usually better choices.
Sinónimos
partner (More modern and neutral, not limited to dating and not informal teen language.)
|
boyfriend/girlfriend (Direct, common words; *"steady"* adds the idea of regular and exclusive dating and can sound a bit old-fashioned.)
Antónimos
casual date (Refers to someone you date without commitment or exclusivity.)
Colocações
have a steady
|be my steady
|her steady
|his steady girlfriend
|going steady with his steady
Temas
relationships
|teen life
|daily_life
Exemplos
- Back in high school, she was his steady.
- He doesn’t have a steady right now.
- In the 1950s, it was common to ask someone to be your steady.
- She’s been his steady for almost a year.
- He introduced her as his steady, not just a friend.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- He asked her to be his steady.
- She was his steady in college.
- I don’t have a steady at the moment.
- They were each other’s steady for two years.
- He broke up with his steady last month.
adverb
informal
C1
property
9
in a stable, even way
in a way that is steady; without shaking or changing quickly
Padrão de uso:
verb + steady (informal)
Erro comum:
Learners are usually taught *"steadily"* as the adverb and may think *"drive steady"* is wrong. In informal spoken English, especially in some dialects, *"steady"* is often used instead of *"steadily"*.
Sinónimos
steadily (Standard and more formal adverb form; *"steady"* is more informal or dialectal.)
Antónimos
unsteadily (Describes moving in a shaking or wobbling way.)
Colocações
drive steady
|hold steady
|walk steady
|aim steady
|stand steady
|go nice and steady
Temas
spoken
|physical actions
|core_vocabulary
Exemplos
- Drive steady so you don’t spill the coffee.
- He walked steady despite the rough ground.
- Hold steady while I tighten the screw.
- She kept her hand steady while cutting the paper.
- Just go steady around the next corner; it’s sharp.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- Please drive steady on this road.
- He tried to walk steady after the injury.
- Hold the cup steady for me.
- She wrote steady, with no mistakes.
- The child can now stand steady on one leg.
Gramática
Forma de dicionário
steady
IPA
GB/stˈɛdi/
US/stˈɛdi/
Sílabas e acento
steady (1 sílaba)
Stress on 1st syllable (steady)
Formas da palavra
Adjective
- Base: steady
- Comparative: steadier
- Superlative: steadiest
Noun
- Base: steady
- Plural: steadies
Verb
- Base: steady
- 3rd Person Singular: steadies
- Present Participle: steadying
- Past: steadied
Família de palavras
Expressões
go at a steady pace
1/ɡˈoʊ ˈæt ə stˈɛdi pˈeɪs/
fixed phrase
move or work at an even speed
to move or work at a speed that is not too fast or too slow and does not change much
Exemplos
- If you go at a steady pace, you’ll finish the race.
- We’re going at a steady pace on this project so we don’t burn out.
- She climbed the hill at a steady pace and didn’t need to stop.
go steady (with someone)
1/ɡˈoʊ stˈɛdi wˈɪθ sˈʌmwˌʌn/
fixed phrase
informal
date one person exclusively
to have a romantic relationship where you regularly go out only with one person
Exemplos
- We started going steady in our second year of high school.
- He’s been going steady with Maria for almost a year now.
- In those days, if you went steady with someone, it meant you were serious.
keep a steady hand
1/kˈip ə stˈɛdi hˈænd/
fixed phrase
remain calm and not shake
to stay calm and not let your hand or your actions shake, especially in a difficult situation
Exemplos
- A surgeon must keep a steady hand during an operation.
- Investors need to keep a steady hand when markets are volatile.
- She kept a steady hand while signing the important contract.
keep something steady
1/kˈip sˈʌmθɪŋ stˈɛdi/
fixed phrase
hold or control something so it does not move
to hold or control something so that it stays still or does not change quickly
Exemplos
- Can you keep the ladder steady while I go up?
- Try to keep your income steady by saving when you can.
- Keep the picture steady while I mark the wall.
nice and steady
1/nˈaɪs ˈænd stˈɛdi/
fixed phrase
informal
do something smoothly and evenly
used to tell someone to do something slowly, smoothly, and without sudden moves
Exemplos
- Nice and steady, lift it together on three.
- Just drive nice and steady through the village.
- Keep your breathing nice and steady during the exercise.
rock steady
1/ɹˈɑk stˈɛdi/
fixed phrase
informal
very stable, not shaking at all
very steady and strong, not moving or shaking even a little
Exemplos
- The tripod kept the camera rock steady during the long exposure.
- Her voice was rock steady, even under pressure.
- The platform feels rock steady, so it’s safe to stand on.
slow and steady
1/slˈoʊ ˈænd stˈɛdi/
fixed phrase
moving calmly at an even speed
moving or working at a calm, even speed and not too fast
Exemplos
- Take a slow and steady approach to your training to avoid injury.
- Slow and steady progress is better than a quick start and then giving up.
- We’ll get there if we just keep going, slow and steady.
steady as she goes
1/stˈɛdi ˈæz ʃˈi ɡˈoʊz/
idiom
keep going without changes
keep doing what you are doing without big changes or new risks
Exemplos
- With the economy so uncertain, the government is taking a steady-as-she-goes approach.
- It’s not the moment for experiments; steady as she goes for now.
- The captain called out, “Steady as she goes,” as the ship entered the narrow channel.
steady on
1/stˈɛdi ˈɔn/
idiom
informal
tell someone not to go too far
used to tell someone to be more careful, less rude, or less extreme
Exemplos
- Steady on, I didn’t mean it like that.
- Steady on, that’s a bit of an overreaction.
- Steady on, you can’t talk to your boss like that.
hold steady
1/hˈoʊld stˈɛdi/
fixed phrase
remain in the same position or level
to stay at the same level, amount, or position, without big changes
Exemplos
- The patient's heart rate should hold steady during the procedure.
- Prices are expected to hold steady over the next few months.
- Prices are expected to hold steady this month.
- Her heart rate is holding steady at a safe level.
- Keep your arm straight and let the laser pointer hold steady on the mark.