steely B2 Topic:Describing Qualities US /ˈstiːli/ See IPA manual Freq #32828 Meanings 1 adj Showing hardness and strong determination. She faced the challenge with a steely determination. 2 adj Resembling steel in color or hardness. He stared at me with steely grey eyes. Thesaurus Word family Forms steelier Derived forms steelilysteelinesssteely-eyedsteely-nervedsteely-spinedunsteely Related forms steelie Etymology AI details From steel + -y. Topics Describing Qualities External links Cambridge Dictionary Wiktionary Google Images # steely **Type:** Word **Level:** B2 **Part of speech:** adj **IPA (US):** /ˈstiːli/ **Frequency rank:** 32828 ## Meanings 1. Showing hardness and strong determination. 2. Resembling steel in color or hardness. ## Examples - She faced the challenge with a steely determination. - He stared at me with steely grey eyes. ## Derived Forms - steelily - steeliness - steely-eyed - steely-nerved - steely-spined - unsteely ## Related Forms - steelie ## Etymology From steel + -y. ## AI Etymology Steely is from steel + -y. In present-day use, it can mean showing hardness and strong determination, or resembling steel in color or hardness. Derived formations include steelily, steeliness, steely-eyed, steely-nerved, steely-spined. ## Topics - Describing Qualities markdown