What does steadfast mean?
Word: Steadfast
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Steadfast means firm in your aims or loyalty and not changing them, even when things get hard.
Synonyms: resolute
How do you spell steadfast?
Syllables: stead - fast
Tricky part: The first syllable has a short e sound, but it is spelt ea, as in bread. Leaving the a out is the usual slip.
Watch out for: steedfast, stidfast, steadfaste
Memory tip: A steadfast person stays steady, and steady has the same ea.
Steadfast in a sentence
Example 1: Kavya stayed steadfast in her plan to finish the race, even after the rain began.
Example 2: The captain was steadfast in her support for the youngest player in the squad.
Example 3: Years of steadfast practice took Mohan from the local tabla class to the national stage.
Fun Fact
Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale The Steadfast Tin Soldier, published in 1838, follows a little toy who stands firm through every misfortune.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
steadfasst
a) a
b) d
c) s
d) t
Show answer
c) s. Only one s sits before the final t.
Word Makeup
Only one of these compound words is misspelt. Choose it.
a) steadfest
b) nightfall
c) earthworm
d) headstrong
Show answer
a) steadfest. It should be steadfast, with an a in its second syllable; the other three are spelt correctly.
Mingle-Mangle
Rearrange the jumbled letters in the sentence to form the right word:
The coach praised Arjun's tdfeassat effort to win a place in the state team.
a) breakfast
b) steadfast
c) broadcast
d) steadily
Show answer
b) steadfast. The jumble has two a's, two s's and two t's, with no b, l, r or y, and that fits one option alone.
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word steadfast as used in the sentence:
Through three years of failed experiments, Dr Sen remained steadfast in her search for a better seed.
a) wavering
b) determined
c) persistent
d) devoted
Show answer
a) wavering. The other three all point the same way as the word in the sentence; only wavering means unsure and likely to change.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which action best shows a steadfast friend?
a) changing sides whenever a game goes badly
b) joining you only on your very best days
c) forgetting a promise after about a week
d) standing by you through a long, hard term
Show answer
d) standing by you through a long, hard term
2. Steadfast is most often used to describe which of these?
a) the size of a large building
b) the speed of a passing train
c) a person's commitment to a cause
d) the colour of a new garment
Show answer
c) a person's commitment to a cause
