steep

B2 · Upper Intermediate Informal

adj. too expensive or higher than you expected.

adj. exceeding what is reasonable or expected in price; costly.

“Twenty dollars for a sandwich is a bit steep, don't you think?”

“While the quality of the leather is undeniable, the five-hundred-dollar price tag seems a bit steep for a simple wallet.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Cooking

v. to leave something in a liquid for a period of time, usually to get flavor out of it.

v. to soak a substance in a liquid to extract its essence or to soften it.

“You should let the tea steep for five minutes to get the best taste.”

“The recipe requires you to steep the dried chilies in boiling water until they are soft enough to blend into a paste.”

C1 · Advanced Literary

v. to be completely surrounded by or filled with a particular quality or influence.

v. to be deeply immersed in or saturated with a specific influence, history, or quality.

“The old city is steeped in history and every building has a story.”

“The professor's lecture was steeped in classical references that only the most advanced students could fully appreciate.”

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Literary

n. a very sharp slope or the side of a hill.

n. a precipitous place or a slope with a very high gradient.

“They looked down from the steep into the dark valley below.”

“The castle was built upon a rocky steep, making it nearly impossible for enemy forces to approach undetected.”