steep
gb/stˈip/ us/stˈip/
A2
English
~ 3300
Senses
0 senses
adjective
A2
property
1
Rising or falling sharply
Going up or down very quickly, like a hill or road that is hard to walk on.
Usage pattern:
a steep [hill/slope/incline]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'steep' (sharp slope) with 'deep' (far down) when describing hills or roads.
Synonyms
sheer (Implies an extremely steep, often vertical drop.)
Antonyms
gentle (Describes a slope that rises or falls gradually.)
Collocations
steep hill
|steep slope
|steep climb
|steep incline
Themes
geography
|travel
|daily life
|space
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The path to the cabin was steep and rocky.
- We had to slow down while driving down the steep hill.
- 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.
- We walked up a steep road.
- The mountain has a steep side.
- That street is too steep for bikes.
adjective
B1
property
2
Unreasonably high in price
Costing much more than you think is fair or normal.
Usage pattern:
a steep [price/fee/fine]
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse 'expensive' and not realize 'steep' is often used for sudden or surprisingly high costs.
Synonyms
exorbitant (Formal; emphasizes being far beyond reasonable limits.)
Antonyms
reasonable (Describes a price that is fair and acceptable.)
Collocations
steep price
|steep fee
|steep fine
Themes
money
|shopping
|finance
|business
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- They charged a steep fee for late payment.
- The ticket prices for the concert are pretty steep.
- I can’t afford such a steep rent increase.
Learner examples
- The price is too steep for me.
- That shop has steep prices.
- A steep fee was added to my bill.
Verb
B1
action
3
Soak to extract flavor or soften
To put something like tea leaves in hot water so the taste goes into the water.
Usage pattern:
to steep [something] in [liquid]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'steep' with 'dip'—'dip' is brief, while 'steep' means leaving it in for some time.
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.)
Collocations
steep tea
|steep herbs
|steep overnight
Themes
cooking
|food
|food_drink
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Steep the tea for three minutes before drinking.
- The recipe says to steep the herbs in oil overnight.
- You should steep the dried mushrooms in warm water before cooking.
Learner examples
- Steep the tea for two minutes.
- I steep the leaves in hot water.
- Please steep the rice before cooking.
Verb
B2
action
4
Fill completely with quality/influence
To make someone or something full of a strong feeling, idea, or tradition.
Usage pattern:
to steep [someone/something] in [quality/tradition]
Common mistake:
Learners may think this meaning is about physical soaking, but it is figurative and about qualities or influences.
Synonyms
imbue (More formal; emphasizes deeply filling with a quality.)
Antonyms
deprive (To take away a quality or influence.)
Collocations
steeped in tradition
|steeped in history
|steeped in culture
Themes
culture
|emotions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The city is steeped in history and culture.
- She was steeped in classical music from an early age.
- The town is steeped in local traditions.
Learner examples
- The city is steeped in history.
- He is steeped in old traditions.
- This place is steeped in culture.
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.