2 syllables: Stead, fast. Stress on Stead.
STED-fast
/ˈstɛˌdfæst/
Steadfast is pronounced STED-fast (/ˈstɛˌdfæst/). It has two syllables (Stead-fast), with the stress on "Stead". Steadfast is an adjective describing unwavering loyalty, determination, or firmness in purpose. It conveys consistent, resolute endurance in adversity and steady adherence to a course of action. The term implies mental steadiness and reliability, often in the face of challenges or temptations.
adjectiveSteadfast is an adjective describing unwavering loyalty, determination, or firmness in purpose. It conveys consistent, resolute endurance in adversity and steady adherence to a course of action. The term implies mental steadiness and reliability, often in the face of challenges or temptations.
"Even in a crisis, her steadfast commitment to the project kept the team aligned."
"The soldiers remained steadfast under fire, refusing to abandon their post."
"He’s a steadfast advocate for environmental reform, never wavering in his stance."
Steadfast is pronounced /ˈstɛdˌfæst/ in US and UK dictionaries; Australia follows the same pattern. The first syllable carries primary stress: STEAD-, with the vowel sounds as in 'bed' and the second syllable is -fast with a short /æ/ like 'cat' and final /st/. Tip: keep the /d/ lightly released before the /f/; avoid adding an extra syllable. Audio guidance: listen for the abrupt stop after /d/ before the fricative /f/ and maintain the short, tense /æ/ in the second syllable.
Common errors include misplacing the stress (putting emphasis on STEAD instead of STEAD-F), pronouncing the second syllable with a long /ɑː/ like 'start' (instead of /fæst/), and softening the /d/ into a flap or a light /t/. Correction: keep primary stress on STEAD-, ensure the second syllable uses /æ/ as in ‘cat,’ and keep the /t/ as a crisp voiceless stop before /st/ without adding a vowel between /t/ and /s/.
Across US/UK/AU, the primary stress remains STEAD-, but vowel qualities shift slightly: US typically has /ˈstɛdˌfæst/ with a mid-front /ɛ/ in the first syllable; UK often similar but may have a tighter /ˈstɛdˌfɑːst/ in some dialects with a slightly closer /ɒ/ or /ɑː/ in the second syllable depending on regional cue; AU shares /ˈstɛdˌfæst/ but can be less rhotic and smoother with a shorter /æ/. In all, the rhoticity differences are minimal due to the absence of rhotics in the second syllable.
The challenge lies in the two-syllable stress pattern with a clear pause between STEAD and -FAST, plus the need to avoid vowel elongation in the second syllable. The tight /st/ cluster and the /d/ preceding /f/ require precise timing to prevent a blended sound. Ensure a crisp /t/ release before /f/ and keep the /æ/ in the second syllable short. Breath management helps keep the sequence clean during speaking.
A unique aspect is the abrupt /d/ in the middle transitioning to the /f/; this creates a brief consonant cluster /dˌf/ that can feel awkward. You can rehearse with a quick kick of air after /d/ to separate the sounds, then glide smoothly into /fæst/. Also, ensure the second syllable does not take on a long vowel typical of words ending with -ast; keep it /æ/.
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Steadfast comes from the Old English steadfast, formed from the combination of stead, meaning ‘place, position, or state of being fixed,’ and fast, which in this sense means firmly fixed or fixed in place (not moving) as in the sense of ‘firmly attached’ or ‘secure.’ The word has Germanic roots; Old English steade (place, position) paired with fast (firm, fixed) yields steadfast in the sense of being firmly fixed in one’s position or resolve. Through Middle English and Early Modern English, the semantic emphasis shifted from a literal physical steadiness to a moral and psychological rigidity: a person’s steadfastness became synonymous with steadfast loyalty, unwavering dedication, and persistent perseverance. First known uses appear in religious and martial contexts where steadfastness described faithfulness to a cause or code, and by the 16th–17th centuries it broadened to general use, including steadfast resolve in daily life and professional commitments. Today, steadfast remains a high-register term in formal writing and rhetoric, often paired with virtues like loyalty, perseverance, and integrity, while retaining its core sense of immovable steadiness and determination in the face of difficulty.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Steadfast" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Steadfast" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Steadfast"
-ast sounds
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