First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1steep
adjective \ˈstēp\
: almost straight up and down : rising or falling very sharply
: going up or down very quickly
: very high
Full Definition of STEEP
2
: making a large angle with the plane of the horizon
3
a : mounting or falling precipitously <the stairs were very steep> b : being or characterized by a rapid and intensive decline or increase
4
: extremely or excessively high <steep prices>
— steep·ish \ˈstē-pish\ adjective
— steep·ly adverb
— steep·ness noun
See steep defined for English-language learners
See steep defined for kids
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Origin of STEEP
Middle English stepe, from Old English stēap high, steep, deep; akin to OldFrisian stāp steep, Middle High German stief — more at stoop
Related to STEEP
- Synonyms
- abrupt, bold, precipitous, sheer
- Antonyms
- easy
Synonym Discussion of STEEP
steep, abrupt, precipitous, sheer mean having an incline approaching the perpendicular. steep implies such sharpness of pitch that ascent or descent is very difficult <a steep hill> <a steep dive>. abrupt implies a sharper pitch and a sudden break in the level <a beach with an abrupt drop-off>. precipitous applies to an incline approaching the vertical <the river winds through a precipitous gorge>. sheer suggests an unbroken perpendicular expanse <sheer cliffs that daunted the climbers>.
2steep
noun
Definition of STEEP
: a precipitous place
First Known Use of STEEP
1555
3steep
verb
: to put (something) in a liquid for a period of time
Full Definition of STEEP
transitive verb
1
: to soak in a liquid at a temperature under the boiling point (as for softening, bleaching, or extracting an essence)
2
: to cover with or plunge into a liquid (as in bathing, rinsing, or soaking)
3
: to saturate with or subject thoroughly to (some strong or pervading influence) <practices steeped in tradition>
intransitive verb
: to undergo the process of soaking in a liquid
— steep·er noun
See steep defined for English-language learners
Origin of STEEP
Middle English stepen
First Known Use: 14th century
Related to STEEP
Synonym Discussion of STEEP
soak, saturate, drench, steep, impregnate mean to permeate or be permeated with a liquid. soak implies usually prolonged immersion as for softening or cleansing <soak the garment in soapy water>. saturate implies a resulting effect of complete absorption until no more liquid can be held <a saturated sponge>. drench implies a thorough wetting by something that pours down or is poured <clothes drenched by a cloudburst>. steep suggests either the extraction of an essence (as of tea leaves) by the liquid or the imparting of a quality (as a color) to the thing immersed <steep the tea for five minutes>. impregnate implies a thorough interpenetration of one thing by another <a cake strongly impregnated with brandy>.
4steep
noun
Definition of STEEP
1
: the state or process of being steeped
2
: a bath or solution in which something is steeped
First Known Use of STEEP
15th century
STEEP Defined for Kids
1steep
adjective \ˈstēp\
steep·ersteep·est
Definition of STEEP for Kids
1
: having a very sharp slope : almost straight up and down <a steep hill>
2
: too great or high <steep prices>
— steep·ly adverb
— steep·ness noun
2steep
verb
steepedsteep·ing
Definition of STEEP for Kids
1
: to soak in a hot liquid <steep tea>
2
: to fill with or involve deeply <The lost mine was steeped in tragedy … — Jack London, The Call of the Wild>
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