adj

steep

adj

Rising or falling at a sharp angle, close to vertical.

"The trail became dangerously steep near the summit."

"They drove up a steep hill to reach the cabin."

Very expensive or unreasonably high, said of a price.

"Fifty dollars for a sandwich seems pretty steep."

verb

To soak something in liquid, often to extract flavor.

"Let the tea steep for five minutes before drinking."

How to Use Steep

Learner’s notes

In 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

steeper comparative, steeped past tense, steeps plural, steeps plural, steeps singular, steepest superlative

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The trail became dangerously _____ near the summit.

From Old English steap, "high, lofty," from a Germanic root meaning "to push or stick up."

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