What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
stable
Example
The horses are kept in the stable overnight. [stable: noun]
Example
The economy has been relatively stable for the past few years. [stable: adjective]
Example
She has a stable personality and rarely gets upset. [stable: adjective]
steady
Example
Make sure the ladder is steady before you climb up. [steady: adjective]
Example
He has a steady job with a regular income. [steady: adjective]
Example
She's been dating her steady boyfriend for over a year now. [steady: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Steady is more commonly used than stable in everyday language. Steady is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while stable is less common and has more specific uses.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between stable and steady?
Both stable and steady can be used in formal and informal contexts, but stable may be slightly more formal due to its association with scientific or medical terminology.
