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steep

adjective
\ ˈstēp How to pronounce steep (audio) \

Definition of steep

 (Entry 1 of 4)

1 : lofty, high —used chiefly of a sea
2 : making a large angle with the plane of the horizon
3a : 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

noun (1)

Definition of steep (Entry 2 of 4)

: a precipitous place

steep

verb
steeped; steeping; steeps

Definition of steep (Entry 3 of 4)

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

noun (2)

Definition of steep (Entry 4 of 4)

1 : the state or process of being steeped
2 : a bath or solution in which something is steeped
Other Words from steep Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about steep

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Other Words from steep

Adjective

steepish \ ˈstē-​pish How to pronounce steepish (audio) \ adjective
steeply adverb
steepness noun

Verb

steeper noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for steep

Synonyms: Adjective

abrupt, bold, precipitous, sheer

Synonyms: Verb

endue (or indue), imbue, inculcate, infuse, ingrain (also engrain), inoculate, invest, suffuse

Antonyms: Adjective

easy

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Choose the Right Synonym for steep

Adjective

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

Verb

soak, saturate, drench, steep, impregnate mean to permeate or be permeated with a liquid. soak implies usually prolonged immersion as for softening or cleansing. soak the garment in soapy water saturate implies a resulting effect of complete absorption until no more liquid can be held. a saturated sponge drench implies a thorough wetting by something that pours down or is poured. clothes drenched by a cloudburst steep suggests either the extraction of an essence (as of tea leaves) by the liquid or the imparting of a quality (such as a color) to the thing immersed. steep the tea for five minutes impregnate implies a thorough interpenetration of one thing by another. a cake strongly impregnated with brandy

Examples of steep in a Sentence

Adjective

 The stairs are very steep. a steep drop in prices The store's prices are too steep for me. Their rates are pretty steep.

Verb

 Steep the tea for three minutes. The tea steeped for five minutes.
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First Known Use of steep

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (1)

1555, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for steep

Adjective

Middle English stepe, from Old English stēap high, steep, deep; akin to Old Frisian stāp steep, Middle High German stief — more at stoop

Verb

Middle English stepen

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More Definitions for steep

steep

adjective
How to pronounce steep (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of steep

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: almost straight up and down : rising or falling very sharply
: going up or down very quickly
: very high

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