steep
1[ steep ]
/ stip /
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adjective, steep·er, steep·est.
having 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.
noun
a steep place; declivity, as of a hill.
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
Origin of steep
1First recorded before 900; Middle English adjective step(e), steppe, Old English stēap “lofty, towering”; akin to stoop1
OTHER WORDS FROM steep
steeply, adverbsteepness, nounOther definitions for steep (2 of 2)
steep2
[ steep ]
/ stip /
verb (used with object)
to soak in water or other liquid, as to soften, cleanse, or extract some constituent: to steep tea in boiling hot water;to steep reeds for basket weaving.
to immerse in or saturate or imbue with some pervading, absorbing, or stupefying influence or agency: an incident steeped in mystery.
verb (used without object)
to lie soaking in a liquid.
noun
the act or process of steeping or the state of being steeped.
a liquid in which something is steeped.
Origin of steep
2First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English verb stepen; further origin obscure; compare Old Icelandic steypa “to throw down, pour out,” Swedish stöpa “to cast”
OTHER WORDS FROM steep
steeper, nounun·steeped, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use steep in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for steep (1 of 2)
steep1
/ (stiːp) /
adjective
- 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 ambitiousa steep task
British informal (of a statement) extreme or far-fetched
obsolete elevated
Derived forms of steep
steeply, adverbsteepness, nounWord Origin for steep
Old English steap; related to Old Frisian stāp, Old High German stouf cliff, Old Norse staup
British Dictionary definitions for steep (2 of 2)
steep2
/ (stiːp) /
verb
to soak or be soaked in a liquid in order to soften, cleanse, extract an element, etc
(tr; usually passive) to saturate; imbuesteeped in ideology
noun
an instance or the process of steeping or the condition of being steeped
a liquid or solution used for the purpose of steeping something
Derived forms of steep
steeper, nounWord Origin for steep
Old English stēpan; related to steap vessel, cup, Old High German stouf, Old Norse staup, Middle Dutch stōp
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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