steep
gb/stˈip/ us/stˈip/
A2
English
~ 3300
meredek, borsos, túl magas, áztat, áthat, átitat
A2
1
meredek
A2
Usage pattern:
a steep [hill/slope/incline]
The path to the cabin was steep and rocky.
A kunyhóhoz vezető ösvény meredek és sziklás volt.
We had to slow down while driving down the steep hill.
Lassítanunk kellett, amikor a meredek lejtőn hajtottunk lefelé.
The mountain’s steep slopes are dangerous in winter.
The hike was exhausting because of the steep incline.
Learner examples
The hill is very steep.
A domb nagyon meredek.
We walked up a steep road.
Egy meredek úton gyalogoltunk fel.
The mountain has a steep side.
That street is too steep for bikes.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'steep' (sharp slope) with 'deep' (far down) when describing hills or roads.
Meaning
Rising or falling sharply
Collocations
steep hill
|steep slope
|steep climb
|steep incline
Synonyms
sheer (Implies an extremely steep, often vertical drop.)
Antonyms
gentle (Describes a slope that rises or falls gradually.)
Themes
geography
|travel
|daily life
|space
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Going up or down very quickly, like a hill or road that is hard to walk on.
Having a slope or angle that rises or falls very quickly and sharply.
B1
2
Usage pattern:
a steep [price/fee/fine]
They charged a steep fee for late payment.
Borsos késedelmi díjat számoltak fel.
The ticket prices for the concert are pretty steep.
A koncertjegyek árai elég borsosak.
I can’t afford such a steep rent increase.
Learner examples
The price is too steep for me.
Ez az ár nekem túl magas.
That shop has steep prices.
Abban a boltban borsosak az árak.
A steep fee was added to my bill.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse 'expensive' and not realize 'steep' is often used for sudden or surprisingly high costs.
Meaning
Unreasonably high in price
Collocations
steep price
|steep fee
|steep fine
Synonyms
exorbitant (Formal; emphasizes being far beyond reasonable limits.)
Antonyms
reasonable (Describes a price that is fair and acceptable.)
Themes
money
|shopping
|finance
|business
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Costing much more than you think is fair or normal.
(Of a price, cost, or demand) unreasonably or unexpectedly high.
VERB
B1
3
áztat
B1
Usage pattern:
to steep [something] in [liquid]
Steep the tea for three minutes before drinking.
Ivás előtt áztasd a teát három percig.
The recipe says to steep the herbs in oil overnight.
A recept szerint a fűszernövényeket egy éjszakán át olajban kell áztatni.
You should steep the dried mushrooms in warm water before cooking.
Learner examples
Steep the tea for two minutes.
Áztasd a teát két percig.
I steep the leaves in hot water.
A leveleket forró vízben áztatom.
Please steep the rice before cooking.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'steep' with 'dip'—'dip' is brief, while 'steep' means leaving it in for some time.
Meaning
Soak to extract flavor or soften
Collocations
steep tea
|steep herbs
|steep overnight
Synonyms
infuse (Often used in cooking or drink preparation; slightly more formal.)
Antonyms
drain (To remove liquid from something rather than soak it in liquid.)
Themes
cooking
|food
|food_drink
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To put something like tea leaves in hot water so the taste goes into the water.
To soak food or other material in liquid, often hot, to extract flavor or soften it.
VERB
B2
4
Usage pattern:
to steep [someone/something] in [quality/tradition]
The city is steeped in history and culture.
A várost áthatja a történelem és a kultúra.
She was steeped in classical music from an early age.
Kora gyerekkorától kezdve a klasszikus zene hatotta át az életét.
The town is steeped in local traditions.
Learner examples
The city is steeped in history.
A várost áthatja a történelem.
He is steeped in old traditions.
Őt mélyen áthatják a régi hagyományok.
This place is steeped in culture.
Common mistake:
Learners may think this meaning is about physical soaking, but it is figurative and about qualities or influences.
Meaning
Fill completely with quality/influence
Collocations
steeped in tradition
|steeped in history
|steeped in culture
Synonyms
imbue (More formal; emphasizes deeply filling with a quality.)
Antonyms
deprive (To take away a quality or influence.)
Themes
culture
|emotions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To make someone or something full of a strong feeling, idea, or tradition.
To cause someone or something to be completely influenced by or surrounded with a particular quality, feeling, or influence.
Grammar
Dictionary form
steep
IPA
GB/stˈip/
US/stˈip/
Syllables & stress
steep (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (steep)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: steep
- Comparative: steeper
- Superlative: steepest
Verb
- Base: steep
- 3rd Person Singular: steeps
- Present Participle: steeping
- Past: steeped
Word family
Forms
steeps
verb
steeping
verb
steeped
verb
steeper
adjective
steepest
adjective
Core family
steeply
adverb
steepness
noun
Related words
steepen
verb
Negative and opposite forms
gentle
adjective A2
Expressions
steep learning curve
1/stˈip lˈɚnɪŋ kˈɚv/
idiom
Rapid and difficult learning process
A situation where you have to learn many new things quickly, which is difficult.
Examples
- Starting my new job was tough because of the steep learning curve.
- Programming has a steep learning curve for beginners.
steep yourself in [something]
1/stˈip jʊɹsˈɛlf ˈɪn sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Become deeply involved in something
To spend a lot of time learning about something or being very involved in it.
Examples
- She steeped herself in French literature during her studies.
- He spent years steeping himself in local politics.