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InicioDiccionarioSsteep

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steep

Rising or falling sharply; almost vertical. / Excessively high or expensive, especially regarding a price or a request. / steep

/stiːp/

AdjectiveTransitive Verb
past: steepedpp: steepeding: steepingcomp: steepersup: steepest

The primary image is one of a sharp, abrupt angle that defies easy ascent. While "sharp" describes the edge or the turn, "steep" focuses on the exertion required to overcome the verticality.

In financial contexts, it carries a negative connotation of excess. A "steep price" feels unfair or aggressively high, suggesting a barrier to entry similar to a physical cliff.

When applied to learning (e.g., a "steep learning curve"), it paradoxically describes a situation where a vast amount of information must be absorbed in a very short time, creating a feeling of being overwhelmed.

💬Conversación Casual

🎬Jessica is at her desk, reviewing budget sheets, while Sarah is likely working remotely, dodging emails.
Jessica

Did you see the quote for that new design software? It's so steep.

Jessica
Sarah
Sarah

Yeah, everything is these days. David probably won't care.

💡
Jessica, the anxious project manager, is expressing her alarm at the high cost ('steep' price) of a new design software. Sarah, the exhausted designer, responds with a cynical, resigned remark about general rising costs ('everything is these days' is a common idiom indicating a general complaint) and her expectation that their boss, David, will be indifferent to the expense, reflecting her jaded perspective on workplace finances and David's management.

Meanings

Adjective

Rising or falling sharply; almost vertical.

The hikers struggled to climb the steep mountain slope.

Adjective

Excessively high or expensive, especially regarding a price or a request.

The hotel charged a steep fee for the late checkout.

Transitive Verbsteep
[~ something in something]

To soak a food or drink item in liquid to extract flavor or soften it.

Steep the tea bags in boiling water for five minutes.

Transitive Verbsteep
[~ in something]

To be completely filled with or saturated by a particular quality, emotion, or atmosphere.

The city is steeped in ancient history and tradition.

Examples

The hill is very steep.

The hill is very steep.

That price is too steep.

That price is too steep.

Steep the tea now.

Steep the tea now.

The road was too steep for the bike.

The road was too steep for the bike.

I think fifty dollars is a bit steep.

I think fifty dollars is a bit steep.

Let the herbs steep for ten minutes.

Let the herbs steep for ten minutes.

We climbed a steep trail to reach the peak.

We climbed a steep trail to reach the peak.

Travel

The entry fee for the gala is quite steep.

The entry fee for the gala is quite steep.

Business

This old castle is steeped in dark legends.

This old castle is steeped in dark legends.

Fantasy

The cost of the renovation proved far too steep.

The cost of the renovation proved far too steep.

Business

Her prose is steeped in the traditions of Gothic horror.

Her prose is steeped in the traditions of Gothic horror.

Trivia

The valley floor dropped away at a steep angle.

The valley floor dropped away at a steep angle.

History

Collocations & Compounds

steep hill

A hill with a sharp incline.

We had to push the car up the steep hill.

steep climb

A climb that is very difficult due to a steep gradient.

The hike involved a steep climb through the mountains.

steep drop

A sudden and significant decrease or fall.

There was a steep drop in profits this quarter.

steep price

A price that is considered too high.

The restaurant charges a steep price for a simple meal.

steep angle

An angle that is sharp or acute.

The roof had a steep angle to allow snow to slide off.

Phrasal Verbs

steep in

To immerse something in a liquid, typically to extract flavor or soften it.

steep out

To remove something from a liquid after steeping.

Carefully steep out the herbs from the broth.

Idioms & Sayings

steep learning curve

A situation that is difficult to learn or understand at first.

Mastering this new software has a steep learning curve.

Etymology

The word 'steep' comes from the Old English word 'stēap', meaning 'high, lofty, or precipitous'. It evolved from Proto-Germanic roots related to height and rising. Initially, it primarily described physical height or inclination, but over time, it developed metaphorical meanings related to intensity, cost, and immersion (as in steeping tea).

Related Words

sheerabruptprecipitousexpensiveexcessiveflatgradualshallowcheapreasonableslopegradientinclineinfusionsoakcliff
Última actualización: May 2026Reportar un error