Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Having a sharp slope or angle: Describes a surface, such as a hill or roof, that rises or falls at a high, often abrupt, angle.
   • Excessive or unreasonable: Used informally to describe something, especially a price or demand, that is extreme or beyond reasonable limits.

2. Noun:

   • A steep slope or place: A location, such as on a hill, that has a sharp incline.

3. Verb:

   • To soak in a liquid: To submerge something in a liquid, typically to extract flavor, cleanse it, or soften it.
   • To be fully absorbed or involved: To devote oneself completely to an activity or state; to be deeply immersed in something.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The path up the mountain was very steep.
  • The price for the concert tickets was steep.
• Noun:
  • The car struggled to climb the steep.
• Verb:
  • You should steep the tea bag for three minutes.
  • She is steeped in the traditions of her culture.

Advanced Usage

• "to be steeped in history/tradition": To be deeply imbued with or characterized by a long history or tradition.
  • The ancient city is steeped in history.
• "a steep learning curve": A situation where one must learn a lot of new and difficult information or skills in a very short time.
  • Starting the new job involved a steep learning curve.

Variants and Related Words

• Steepen (verb): To become or make steeper.
  • The road steepens after the next turn.
• Steeply (adverb): In a steep manner.
  • Prices rose steeply.
• Steepness (noun): The quality of being steep.
  • The steepness of the climb was challenging.

Synonyms

• Adjective (slope): Sheer, precipitous, abrupt.
• Adjective (price): Exorbitant, extortionate, outrageous.
• Verb (soak): Soak, immerse, submerge, infuse.
• Verb (absorb): Immerse, engross, absorb.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Steep in: To soak in a liquid; figuratively, to be thoroughly permeated with a quality or influence.
  • The cloth was steeped in dye.
  • He is steeped in the knowledge of classical literature.

Related Idioms

• A bit steep: (British English, informal) Used to say that something, especially a price, is excessive or unfair.
  • Twenty pounds for a coffee? That's a bit steep!

Adjective

1. of a slope; set at a high angle
   • note the steep incline
   • a steep roof sheds snow
2. greatly exceeding bounds of reason or moderation
   • exorbitant rent
   • extortionate prices
   • spends an outrageous amount on entertainment
   • usurious interest rate
   • unconscionable spending
3. having a sharp inclination
   • the steep attic stairs
   • steep cliffs

Noun

1. a steep place (as on a hill)

Verb

1. let sit in a liquid to extract a flavor or to cleanse
   • steep the blossoms in oil
   • steep the fruit in alcohol
2. devote (oneself) fully to
   • He immersed himself into his studies