The Adverb of Steady: Steadily
The adverb of steady is steadily.
How steadily is formed
Consonant plus -y, so the y becomes i: steady → steadi + ly = steadily.
The standard -y rule, as in heavy → heavily and hasty → hastily.
Steadily in a sentence
| Sales have risen steadily since March. | At an even rate, without interruption. |
| It rained steadily all day. | Continuously and at the same intensity. |
| She worked steadily through the afternoon. | Without stopping or rushing. |
Where it is actually used
Knowing the form is one thing; knowing the company a word keeps is what makes it sound natural. These are the patterns steadily appears in most often.
| rose / grew / improved steadily | The dominant use, describing a trend over time. |
| rained / snowed steadily | Continuous weather at one intensity. |
| worked / advanced steadily | Sustained effort without rushing. |
Steadily or something else?
Several adverbs sit close to steadily, and the difference is usually meaning rather than formality.
| gradually | About slowness. Something can rise steadily and fast; gradually rules that out. |
| consistently | About reliability across occasions, not about an even rate within one. |
| continuously | About having no gaps. It says nothing about the rate staying the same. |
The mistake to watch for
| Incorrect | Correct |
| steadyly | steadily |
The y becomes i. The adjective keeps its own spelling: steady, from stead, meaning place.
Steady is also an adverb in fixed phrases. Go steady, steady on and hold her steady all use the plain form, and replacing it with steadily would sound wrong. Outside those set expressions, use the -ly form.
Related forms
Pronunciation: STED-i-lee, three syllables. The first syllable rhymes with bed, not bead.
| Adjective | steady |
| Adverb | steadily |
| Noun | steadiness |
| Verb | steady (to steady a ladder) |
Practice
Fill the gap, then check yourself.
- Demand has grown ___ for three years.
- The temperature dropped ___ over several weeks.
- She has ___ delivered on time, every time.
Answers: 1. steadily 2. gradually 3. consistently
Frequently asked
Does steadily mean slowly?
No, and the confusion is common. It means at an unchanging rate. A figure can climb steadily and steeply at the same time.
