steep
steep
Steep (adj) means rising or falling at a sharp angle, close to vertical. Example: “The cyclists got off and pushed their bikes up the steep road.”
adj
1
Rising or falling at a sharp angle, close to vertical.
"The cyclists got off and pushed their bikes up the steep road."
"The trail became dangerously steep near the summit."
"They drove up a steep hill to reach the cabin."
2
Very expensive or unreasonably high, said of a price.
"The rent in that part of town is far too steep for students."
"Charging extra for a glass of water seems a bit steep."
"Fifty dollars for a sandwich seems pretty steep."
verb
1
To soak something in liquid, often to extract flavor.
"She left the dried fruit to steep in warm water overnight."
"Steep the ginger slices in boiling water for a soothing drink."
"Let the tea steep for five minutes before drinking."
How to use steep
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA sharp slope, an unreasonably high price, or soaking something (like tea leaves) in hot water.
Common pairings
steep hill
steep price
steep learning curve
steep tea
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Word forms
- Plural
- steeps
- Third person singular
- steeps
- Past tense
- steeped
- Comparative
- steeper
- Superlative
- steepest
Fill the gap
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The cyclists got off and pushed their bikes up the _____ road.
Etymology
From Old English steap, "high, lofty," from a Germanic root meaning "to push or stick up."
Synonyms
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precipitous
sheer
abrupt
exorbitant
pricey
soak
extortionate
unconscionable
usurious
outrageous
absorb
engulf
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for steep
See all rhymes for steep →Frequently asked questions
What does “steep” mean?
The word “steep” means rising or falling at a sharp angle, close to vertical. In plain terms, a sharp slope, an unreasonably high price, or soaking something (like tea leaves) in hot water.
How do you pronounce “steep”?
“Steep” is pronounced steep (/stiːp/ in IPA).
How do you use “steep” in a sentence?
Here is “steep” used in a sentence: “The trail became dangerously steep near the summit.”
What part of speech is “steep”?
Depending on how it is used, “steep” can be an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “steep” come from?
The word “steep” comes from Old English. From Old English steap, "high, lofty," from a Germanic root meaning "to push or stick up.".
Is “steep” a common word?
“Steep” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “steep” have?
“Steep” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: rising or falling at a sharp angle, close to vertical.
What is the difference between steep and brew?
Steeping is specifically the soaking stage, when leaves or grounds sit in liquid so their flavour is drawn out. Brewing is the whole process of making the drink, so steeping is one part of brewing tea or coffee.
Why do people describe a price as steep?
Calling a price steep means it is very expensive or unreasonably high, as in "£40 for parking is a bit steep." The usage carries the image of a sharply rising slope over to costs: a steep price feels hard to climb to. It is informal but extremely common.
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