# steep

/ˈstip/ (US) · /stˈiːp/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/steep
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. a sharp slope

adjective · CEFR B1

rising or falling very sharply, making it difficult to climb or go down.

For teachers: having a near-vertical gradient; describing a slope or surface that rises or falls at a sharp angle.

- The path up the mountain was very steep and we had to stop for breath.
- The final ascent was so steep that the hikers had to use their hands for balance against the rocky face.

### 2. expensive

adjective · CEFR B2 · Informal

too expensive or higher than you expected.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. to soak

verb · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 4. to be deeply involved

verb · CEFR C1 · Literary

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

For teachers: 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.

Usage: Usually used in the passive voice with 'in'.

### 5. a sharp incline

noun · CEFR C2 · Literary

a very sharp slope or the side of a hill.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The hill is too steep for me to climb easily.
- The hikers struggled to reach the summit because the final section of the trail was incredibly steep and rocky.
- Economists warned that the steep rise in interest rates would likely dampen consumer spending and slow down the housing market over the next fiscal year.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.