- 1 firmly fixed; not likely to move, change or fail synonym steady stable prices a stable relationship This ladder doesn't seem very stable. The patient's condition is stable (= it is not getting worse). The situation in the country has remained relatively stable for a few months now. Oxford Collocations Dictionary verbsbe, look, seem, … adverbextremely, fairly, very, … See full entry See related entries: Economy
- 2 (of a person) calm and reasonable; not easily upset synonym balanced Mentally, she is not very stable. Oxford Collocations Dictionary verbsbe, look, seem, … adverbextremely, fairly, very, … See full entry
- 3 (specialist) (of a substance) staying in the same chemical or atomic state chemically stable an element forming stable compounds opposite unstable Word Originadjective Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French, from Latin stabilis, from the base of stare ‘to stand’.Word Familystable adjective (≠unstable)stability noun (≠instability)stabilize verbExtra examples Don’t worry—it’s perfectly stable! He was not emotionally stable enough to think through his decision. Put a book under the table leg to keep it stable. The unit is stable enough on level ground. attempts to keep prices stable He was not married, but he was in a stable relationship. The industry should do everything it can to keep prices stable. The patient’s condition is stable. These children badly need a stable and secure home life. This ladder doesn’t seem very stable. a stable mind/relationship/family/home a stable situation/environment/government/population stable employment
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