Word
steepest
Phoneticssteep·est, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈstipəst/
UK/stˈiːpəst/
Definition
adj. having the sharpest slope, going up or down almost straight. You use it for the most sudden climb, drop, or price rise.
adj. having the greatest steepness in slope, incline, or rate of change; sharper or more abrupt than all others compared. Extends to figurative increases such as prices, fees, or difficulty.
Examples
“This hill has the steepest path in the park.”
“The last part of the hike includes the steepest climb, so we walk slowly and drink water.”
“The report shows the steepest rise in rents in the city's northern districts, where demand now grows faster than new homes appear.”
Examples
simple
“This hill has the steepest path in the park.”
contextual
“The last part of the hike includes the steepest climb, so we walk slowly and drink water.”
complex
“The report shows the steepest rise in rents in the city's northern districts, where demand now grows faster than new homes appear.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “steepest” in context.
Verb
01. climb steepest
“Cyclists climb the steepest part of the mountain in the race.”
verb + adj
02. face steepest
“Drivers face the steepest section just before the village.”
verb + adj
03. steepest in country
“This mountain has the steepest climb in the country.”
adj + prep + noun
04. steepest in town
“This is the steepest hill in town, so be careful.”
adj + prep + noun
Adjective
05. by far steepest
“This is by far the steepest road in our town.”
adv + adj
06. one of steepest
“This hill is one of the steepest hills in the region.”
phrase + adj
Noun
07. steepest climb
“The last kilometre was the steepest climb of the race.”
adj + noun
08. steepest drop
“The roller coaster has the steepest drop in the park.”
adj + noun
09. steepest fall
“The company reported its steepest fall in sales this year.”
adj + noun
10. steepest hill
“We walked up the steepest hill in the village.”
adj + noun
11. among the steepest in europe
“This ski run is among the steepest in Europe.”
12. one of the steepest hills
“Our street is one of the steepest hills in the city.”
Usage
Superlative of 'steep'; typically preceded by 'the' and placed before the noun it modifies.
Real-World Examples
“But the day I arrived, this formerly secluded 430-person hamlet perched 1638m in the Bernese Oberland became directly connected with the outside world and valley below through the opening of the world's steepest cable car: the Schilthornbahn, which whisks travellers 775m up through some of the Swiss Alps' most jaw-dropping scenery in just four minutes.” “The dollar index declined by 0.49% on the day, reaching a low of 103.85, which brought the dollar's drop over the past week to nearly 1.8%—the steepest weekly decline since mid-July.” “At Myrdal Station (867m), a train waited on a branch line that is one of the steepest railway lines on Earth.” “Many people believe Jenkin Road - which featured in the 2014 Tour de France route - is Sheffield's steepest, but its 11.02° gradient is actually puny compared to nearby Blake Street's sinew-straining 16.6°.” Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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