Cool MateFull-time vs Steady
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Full-time
Top 2,000 (common)B1noun
Steady
Top 1,000 (very common)B2adjective
Most common: Steady
| Full-time | Steady | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌfʊl ˈtaɪm/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌfʊl ˈtaɪm/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈstedi/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈstedi/"]/ |
| Meaning | Working all the hours of a regular job, usually 40 hours a week. | Not changing; stable. |
| Example | The referee blew his whistle for full time. | She has a steady job that provides her with financial security. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | B2 |
| Part of speech | noun | adjective |
| Collocations | full-time job, full-time employee, full-time position | be, seem, become, remarkably, very, fairly, be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very |
| Antonyms | part-time, temporary | unstable, fluctuating, irregular |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'part-time', which means working fewer hours., Using it to describe unpaid work, which isn't usually correct., Misplacing the hyphen, writing 'full time' instead of 'full-time'. | Confused with 'steady' vs 'stedy' - 'steady' is the correct spelling., Using 'steady' in contexts that require a more dynamic word, like 'active' or 'exciting'., Mixing up 'steady' with 'steady on' - the latter is used primarily as a command. |
| Usage notes | Usually used in job descriptions or discussions about work hours. Not typically used in informal contexts. | Use 'steady' to describe something that is consistent or reliable. It’s appropriate in both casual conversations and professional contexts, but avoid using it in overly emotional situations. |
Frequently asked questions: Full-time vs Steady
What's the difference between Full-time and Steady?
Full-time: Working all the hours of a regular job, usually 40 hours a week. Steady: Not changing; stable.
Which is more common: Full-time and Steady?
Steady is the most common in everyday English.
Are Full-time and Steady the same CEFR level?
Full-time: B1, Steady: B2 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Full-time and Steady interchangeably?
Not always. Full-time and Steady are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.