steely

/ˈstiːli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈstiːli/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈstē-lē/ (ame, mw)

steely — adjective

  • steelypositive
  • steeliercomparative
  • steeliestsuperlative

1. having a cold, grey, or bluish-grey colour that looks like the metal steel — for

1.形容詞B2
釋義

having a cold, grey, or bluish-grey colour that looks like the metal steel — for example, a steely sky before a storm, or fabric with a metallic sheen.

例句

Haruto gazed at the steely grey clouds gathering above the old fishing port.

collocation: steely grey

The steely surface of the new skyscraper reflected the afternoon sunshine.

同義詞
  • metallic

    more general; any metal-like appearance, not specifically steel-coloured

  • grey

    narrower — lacks the shiny, reflective quality that steely implies

  • silvery

    lighter and brighter than steely; steely suggests a duller, colder grey

反義詞
  • warm

    steely colours are cold; warm colours (red, gold, brown) are the opposite

  • bright

    steely implies a muted, dull shine, not vivid brightness

文法句型

steely + noun

be + steely

常見錯誤

❌The knife has a steely blade' (when you mean 'made of steel').
✅The knife has a steely gleam
💡'steely' describes appearance, not material composition.

2. showing a very strong, determined, and sometimes cold or unyielding attitude — u

2.形容詞B2
釋義

showing a very strong, determined, and sometimes cold or unyielding attitude — used about a look, voice, calmness, or will that refuses to bend under pressure.

例句

Kwame spoke with steely determination as he addressed the crowd of worried workers.

collocation: steely determination

The coach fixed a steely stare on the players and said no one was leaving early.

collocation: steely stare

同義詞
  • resolute

    equally determined but without the cold, unfeeling edge that steely carries

  • firm

    softer than steely — suggests stability and reliability, not hardness or coldness

  • unyielding

    very close in meaning; emphasises refusal to change, while steely also emphasises coldness of manner

反義詞
  • weak

    lacking determination or strength

  • indecisive

    unable to make firm decisions, the opposite of steely resolve

  • gentle

    kind and soft in manner, opposite of the cold hardness of steely

文法句型

steely + noun

be + steely

用法筆記

Commonly describes a person's expression (gaze, stare, look), voice (tone, edge), or mental quality (calmness, resolve, determination). The word carries a slight coldness — the person is not just determined but also unemotional and unfriendly in their resolve.

常見錯誤

❌She gave a steely smile to her friend.
✅She gave a steely smile to her opponent.
💡steely implies coldness or hostility, so it fits adversarial contexts, not friendly ones.