steep
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1steep
adjective \ˈstēp\Definition of STEEP
2
: making a large angle with the plane of the horizon
3
a : mounting or falling precipitously <the stairs were very steep> b : being or characterized by a rapid and intensive decline or increase
4
: extremely or excessively high <steep prices>
— steep·ish \ˈstē-pish\ adjective
— steep·ly adverb
— steep·ness noun
See Examples of STEEP
- The stairs are very steep.
- a steep drop in prices
- The store's prices are too steep for me.
- Their rates are pretty steep.
Origin of STEEP
Middle English stepe, from Old English stēap high, steep, deep; akin to OldFrisian stāp steep, Middle High German stief — more at stoop
First Known Use: before 12th century
Related to STEEP
- Synonyms
- abrupt, bold, precipitous, sheer
- Antonyms
- easy
Synonym Discussion of STEEP
steep, abrupt, precipitous, sheer mean having an incline approaching the perpendicular. steep implies such sharpness of pitch that ascent or descent is very difficult <a steep hill> <a steep dive>. abrupt implies a sharper pitch and a sudden break in the level <a beach with an abrupt drop-off>. precipitous applies to an incline approaching the vertical <the river winds through a precipitous gorge>. sheer suggests an unbroken perpendicular expanse <sheer cliffs that daunted the climbers>.
2steep
nounDefinition of STEEP
: a precipitous place
First Known Use of STEEP
1555
3steep
verbDefinition of STEEP
transitive verb
1
: to soak in a liquid at a temperature under the boiling point (as for softening, bleaching, or extracting an essence)
2
: to cover with or plunge into a liquid (as in bathing, rinsing, or soaking)
3
: to saturate with or subject thoroughly to (some strong or pervading influence) <practices steeped in tradition>
intransitive verb
: to undergo the process of soaking in a liquid
— steep·er noun
Examples of STEEP
- Steep the tea for three minutes.
- The tea steeped for five minutes.
Origin of STEEP
Middle English stepen
First Known Use: 14th century
4steep
nounDefinition of STEEP
1
: the state or process of being steeped
2
: a bath or solution in which something is steeped
First Known Use of STEEP
15th century
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