ENGLISH
REFERENCE

steeped

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈstipt// UK //stˈiːpt// steeped

adj. to be completely filled with a specific quality, history, or atmosphere. You use this to describe something that has a lot of a certain feeling or tradition.

adj. permeated or saturated with a particular quality, history, or influence. Often used predicatively with the preposition 'in' to describe a deep connection to a tradition or atmosphere.


SIMPLE

The old city is steeped in history and culture.

CONTEXTUAL

The university's graduation ceremony is steeped in tradition, with students wearing robes designed centuries ago.

COMPLEX

The author's latest novel is steeped in the folklore of the region, blending local myths with a modern narrative style that feels both ancient and fresh.

Synonyms
Usage

Typically follows a linking verb and is followed by the preposition 'in'.

Pitfall

The town is steeped of historyThe town is steeped in historyThe adjective requires the preposition 'in' to indicate the quality it is saturated with; 'of' is a common learner error.

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