Steadily — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective adverb /ˈste-dē/

Meaning & Definition of Steadily

Steadily (adjective)

  1. direct or sure in movement, unfaltering
  2. firm in position, fixed
  3. keeping nearly upright in a seaway

Steadily (adverb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in continuously, uninterruptedly

    similar: continuously, uninterruptedly, unremittingly, commonly, frequently, oft, often, oftentimes, recurrently, repeatedly, dependably, generally, habitually, normally, ordinarily, regularly, routinely, typically, usually, always, aye, consistently, constantly, continually, ever, forever, incessantly, invariably, night and day, perpetually, unfailingly, inevitably, eternally, everlastingly
    opposite: ne'er, never, intermittently, occasionally, periodically, sometimes, sporadically, infrequently, rarely, seldom, unusually, variously

  2. as in solidly, surely

    similar: decidedly, determinedly, directly, emphatically, fast, fixedly, intensively, intently, purposefully, resolutely, rigidly, smartly, solidly, soundly, squarely, steadfastly, surely, actively, animatedly, briskly, crisply, eagerly, gamely, heartily, lustily, snappily, spiritedly, spunkily, vivaciously, aggressively, assertively, manfully, potently, fiercely, hammer and tongs, robustly, roughshod, sharply, vehemently, violently, dynamically, energetically, explosively, firmly, forcefully, forcibly, hard, mightily, muscularly, powerfully, roundly, stiffly, stoutly, strenuously, strongly, sturdily, vigorously
    opposite: feebly, gently, softly, weakly, delicately, faintly, frailly, shakily, bloodlessly, halfheartedly, languidly, lazily, listlessly, spiritlessly, impotently, ineffectively, ineffectually, lamely, nervelessly, spinelessly, uncertainly

Related Entry: Steady (adjective)

Steady is a different word from Steadily. The synonyms below are for steady, not for steadily.

  1. firm in one's allegiance to someone or something

    "even as wild accusations were circulating, she remained steady in her support for the candidate"

    similar: constant, dedicated, devoted, devout, down-the-line, faithful, fast, good, loyal, pious, staunch, steadfast, true, true-blue
    related: dependable, dutiful, reliable, responsible, solid, tried, tried-and-true, trustworthy, trusty, unfaltering, unhesitating, unwavering, determined, intent, resolute, confirmed, dyed-in-the-wool, inveterate, sworn, ardent, avid, enthusiastic, fervent, fervid, gung ho, impassioned, passionate, serious
    opposite: disloyal, faithless, false, fickle, inconstant, perfidious, recreant, traitorous, treacherous, unfaithful, untrue
    near: irresponsible, undependable, unreliable, untrustworthy, faltering, hesitant, vacillating, wavering, dubious, irresolute, shaky, uncertain, apathetic, dispassionate, uninterested

  2. appearing or occurring repeatedly from time to time

    "a popular author who produces a steady output of best sellers year after year"

    similar: constant, frequent, habitual, periodic, periodical, regular, repeated
    related: continual, intermittent, recurrent, recurring, cyclic, around-the-clock, hourly, round-the-clock, 24-7, chronic, confirmed, inveterate, expected, usual
    opposite: inconstant, infrequent, irregular
    near: episodic, occasional, unexpected, unusual

  3. not undergoing a change in condition

    "a steady breeze from the west"

    similar: changeless, constant, stable, stationary, unchanging, unvarying, on an even keel
    related: fast, fixed, hard-and-fast, immutable, inflexible, invariable, unalterable, unchangeable, established, set, settled, ceaseless, continuing, durable, enduring, lasting, permanent
    opposite: capricious, changeful, changing, fickle, fluctuating, fluid, inconstant, mercurial, skittish, uncertain, unpredictable, unsettled, unstable, unsteady, varying, volatile
    near: adaptable, alterable, changeable, flexible, mutable, variable, ephemeral, evanescent, fleeting, momentary, transient, transitory, kaleidoscopic, phantasmagoric

  4. not varying

    "support for her presidential bid has been steady"

    similar: even, invariant, unchanging, undeviating, uniform, unvarying, unwavering
    related: fixed, immutable, invariable, set, unalterable, unchangeable
    opposite: changing, deviating, nonuniform, unsteady, varying

  5. worthy of one's trust

    "a quiet but steady man who is one of the pillars of the community"

    similar: calculable, dependable, good, reliable, responsible, safe, secure, solid, sure, tried, tried-and-true, true, trustable, trustworthy, trusty
    related: constant, devoted, faithful, fast, loyal, staunch, steadfast, true-blue, honest, sincere, single-minded, infallible, unerring, bedrock, firm, sound, strong, effective, telling, attested, authenticated, confirmed, proven, valid, validated, verified, blameless, faultless, guiltless, impeccable, inerrant, irreproachable, unimpeachable, unquestionable
    opposite: dodgy (chiefly British), uncertain, undependable, unreliable, unsafe, untrustworthy
    near: disloyal, faithless, false, fickle, inconstant, perfidious, recreant, traitorous, treacherous, unfaithful, untrue, deceitful, dishonest, lying, mendacious, untruthful, debatable, disputable, doubtable, doubtful, dubious, fishy, problematic, questionable, shady, shaky, suspect, uncertain, unsound, hazardous, risky, unconfirmed, untried

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Steadily

The most common words with a similar meaning to Steadily:

continuously, uninterruptedly, unremittingly, commonly, frequently, oft, often, oftentimes, recurrently, repeatedly, dependably, generally, habitually, normally, ordinarily, regularly, routinely, typically, usually, always, aye, consistently, constantly, continually, ever, forever, incessantly, invariably, night and day, perpetually, unfailingly, inevitably, eternally, everlastingly, decidedly, determinedly, directly, emphatically, fast, fixedly

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Steadily

Words with the opposite meaning of Steadily:

ne'er, never, intermittently, occasionally, periodically, sometimes, sporadically, infrequently, rarely, seldom, unusually, variously, feebly, gently, softly, weakly, delicately, faintly, frailly, shakily, bloodlessly, halfheartedly, languidly, lazily, listlessly, spiritlessly, impotently, ineffectively, ineffectually, lamely

Word Forms of Steadily

Inflections: steadier, steadiest

Derived words: steadily (adverb), steadiness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Steadily

Middle English stedy, from stede

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Steadily

Frequently Asked Questions about Steadily

What does "Steadily" mean?

"Steadily" means direct or sure in movement, unfaltering. As an an adjective and an adverb, it is defined as: direct or sure in movement, unfaltering. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Steadily"?

Other words for "Steadily" include continuously, uninterruptedly, unremittingly, commonly, frequently, oft, often and oftentimes. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Steadily" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Steadily"?

There are 91 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Steadily". Common alternatives include continuously, uninterruptedly, unremittingly, commonly, frequently, oft, often, oftentimes, recurrently and repeatedly.

What is the opposite of "Steadily"?

Antonyms of "Steadily" include ne'er, never, intermittently, occasionally, periodically, sometimes, sporadically and infrequently.

Is "Steadily" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Steadily" can be used as an adjective and an adverb, depending on the context.

Is "Steadily" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Steadily" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Steadily"?

"Steadily" is pronounced /ˈste-dē/.

What is the origin of the word "Steadily"?

"Steadily" comes from Middle English stedy, from stede. First known use: 14th century.