[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/steely/)

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# steely

adjective (steely, steelier, steeliest)

«steely» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Made of steel, or grey and shiny like steel. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/steely/#m1)
2. Hard, strong and determined; not showing soft feelings: «a steely stare», «steely determination». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/steely/#m2)

### In the lessons

In stories, steely eyes or a steely voice show that a character is tough, cold or very determined — like a strict teacher or a hero who will not give up. In art and description, «steely grey» is a cold blue-grey colour of sky or sea.

### Examples

- She gave him a steely look and he stopped talking. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/steely/#x1)
- The sky was a steely grey before the storm. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/steely/#x2)
- With steely determination, she finished the race. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/steely/#x3)
- The captain spoke in a steely voice. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/steely/#x4)
- Badger had a steely glint in his eye before the battle. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/steely/#x5)
- The sea looked steely and cold. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/steely/#x6)
- “Cecco,” he said in his most steely voice, “go back and fetch me out that doodle-doo.” [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/steely/#x7)

### Note

Comparisons steelier, steeliest. Steely is usually about people's looks, voices and wills, or about colour.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «steely» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/steely/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«steely» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/steely.html) on Mova free.