Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

steadfast

/ˈstɛdfæst/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.14 in modern English

Syllables
stead-fast
IPA
/ˈstɛdfæst/
13
Scrabble Score
9
Letters
2
Syllables
6
Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Fixed or unchanging; steady.

adj

Firmly loyal or constant; unswerving.

Example Sentences

Etymology

From Middle English stedefast, from Old English stedefæst, from Proto-Germanic *stadifastuz, equivalent to stead (“place; spot; position”) + fast (“firm; fixed”). Cognate with Middle Dutch stedevast (“steadfast”), Icelandic staðfestur (“steadfast”), Danish stedfast (“firmly attached, secured”), Danish stadfæste (“to confirm; ratify”), Norwegian Nynorsk stadfesta (“confirm, ratify; establish”), Swedish stadfästa (“to confirm; establish”).

Origin

Word Breakdown

  • Root: *steh₂-, stedefast, stedefæst, *stadifastuz

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /ˈstɛdfæst/
  • British English: /ˈstɛdfɑːst/

Inflected Forms

steadfaster (comparative) more steadfast (comparative) steadfastest (superlative) most steadfast (superlative) stedfast (alternative, obsolete)

Derived Forms

oversteadfast steadfastly steadfastness unsteadfast

Synonyms

staunch unswerving firm steady stiff unbendable unfaltering unshakable unwavering

Antonyms

infirm

Questions

How do you pronounce steadfast?
The recorded pronunciation is /ˈstɛdfæst/.
What does steadfast mean?
Fixed or unchanging; steady.
Where does steadfast come from?
It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce steadfast

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “steadfast”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈstɛdfæst/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “steadfast”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “steadfast” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.