Meaning & use

steep

adjective·Everyday

Last updated

Rising or falling sharply; almost perpendicular.

See it in a sentence

The trail up the mountain was too steep for beginners.

The company faced a steep decline in sales after the scandal.

A note on using this word

Also used as a verb meaning to soak something, especially tea leaves, in liquid, as in "steep the tea for five minutes."

Words with a similar meaning

sheerprecipitous

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

gradualgentle

Another way to use it

2. verb

To soak something in liquid to extract flavor, color, or other qualities.

Let the tea steep for three minutes before drinking.

Make it your own

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