steep
1having an almost vertical slope or pitch, or a relatively high gradient, as a hill, an ascent, stairs, etc.
(of a price or amount) unduly high; exorbitant: Those prices are too steep for me.
extreme or incredible, as a statement or story.
high or lofty.
a steep place; declivity, as of a hill.
Origin of steep
1Other words from steep
- steeply, adverb
- steepness, noun
Words Nearby steep
Other definitions for steep (2 of 2)
to soak in water or other liquid in order to soften, cleanse, extract flavor or a particular ingredient, etc.: Pour boiling water over the mint leaves and steep them for 5 minutes.Tapa cloth is made by steeping the thin bark of the paper mulberry tree in water and then scraping and beating it to the desired texture.
to immerse in a particular kind of experience or area of learning, fill or saturate with a particular quality, etc., over a long period: Steep your children in the values of honesty, kindness, dependability, and determination.
to sit soaking in water or other liquid for softening, cleansing, the extraction of a flavor or particular ingredient, etc.: Your tea is steeping.Let the raisins steep for a few days, allowing their natural sweetness to infuse the alcohol.
the act or process of steeping or the state of being steeped (often used attributively): For brewer’s malt, the steep takes a day or two, followed by germination and kilning.I was only giving my cold brew about eight hours of steep time instead of the recommended 16 to 18.
a liquid in which something is steeped: Remove the flax from the steep after five to seven days of soaking.
Origin of steep
2Other words for steep
Other words from steep
- steep·er, noun
- un·steeped, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use steep in a sentence
They have placed the work in a way that allows visitors to steep themselves in the outdoors and to respond, without feeling herded or driven, to the moods of forest and hill, snow and sunlight.
Sculpture parks are a great way to see art during a pandemic. Here’s why some are better than others. | Sebastian Smee | February 11, 2021 | Washington PostThe angle on the way down is so steep, you brace yourself on the seat in front of you as if you’re doing a push-up.
The Strange Allure of a Flight to Nowhere (and Other Places We're Desperate to Go) | Susanna Schrobsdorff | February 7, 2021 | TimeThe Rafferty Lift takes me to the resort’s main intermediate area, but the runs back to the bottom are steeper than any advanced run I’ve seen before.
Once you reach adulthood, you typically start losing about one percent of your strength per year, with a steeper decline in your 60s and beyond.
The Data Behind a Once-a-Week Strength Routine | Alex Hutchinson | February 2, 2021 | Outside OnlineShe pushed Nicholas Gross to set steep goals, but she also encouraged him to prioritize others before himself.
A sick mother, a loving son, a signed Ovechkin jersey — and how the Caps tried to help | Kyle Melnick | February 1, 2021 | Washington Post
Rising up from scooping bay, the steep topography—hemmed by hills of evergreens—promises panoramas at practically every turn.
But just up the steep river bank and through the brush is an opening.
In Sierra Leone, the WHO report reads, “steep increases persist.”
Jail Threats for Sierra Leone Ebola Victims’ Families | Abby Haglage | December 10, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTSure, some churches are expanding, but overall, your way of life is in steep decline.
We gazed on a residential area of box-like homes stacked on top of one another on a steep hillside.
My station was on the right of the line, where the breastwork, ending in a redoubt, was steep and high.
At the foot of the pass, the valley widened a little, though still with steep, snow-capped cliffs crowding it on either side.
Glances at Europe | Horace GreeleyThe tower has four clock faces, pinnacles at the angles, and a steep slate roof and is 120 feet high.
Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham | Thomas T. Harman and Walter ShowellOn the state-coach went, down the steep, driving the mules madly before it.
The Soldier of the Valley | Nelson LloydThe others kept on, climbed the short, steep bank, and passed from sight over its rim.
Raw Gold | Bertrand W. Sinclair
British Dictionary definitions for steep (1 of 2)
/ (stiːp) /
having or being a slope or gradient approaching the perpendicular
(as noun): the steep
informal (of a fee, price, demand, etc) unduly high; unreasonable (esp in the phrase that's a bit steep)
informal excessively demanding or ambitious: a steep task
British informal (of a statement) extreme or far-fetched
obsolete elevated
Origin of steep
1Derived forms of steep
- steeply, adverb
- steepness, noun
British Dictionary definitions for steep (2 of 2)
/ (stiːp) /
to soak or be soaked in a liquid in order to soften, cleanse, extract an element, etc
(tr; usually passive) to saturate; imbue: steeped in ideology
an instance or the process of steeping or the condition of being steeped
a liquid or solution used for the purpose of steeping something
Origin of steep
2Derived forms of steep
- steeper, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Browse