Meaning & use
steeped
Last updated
“steeped” is a form of “steep”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
adjectivenot comparable
Soaked or immersed in a liquid, especially to extract flavor or soften.
Grammar: Used after a verb (e.g., 'is steeped') or before a noun (e.g., 'steeped tea'). Often followed by 'in': steeped in hot water.
Patterns
- be steeped in something
- steeped tea
The tea leaves are steeped in hot water for three minutes.
She prefers steeped fruit in her yogurt.
adjectivenot comparablefigurative
Deeply filled or influenced by a particular quality, feeling, or tradition.
Grammar: Figurative use; always followed by 'in': a city steeped in history.
Patterns
- be steeped in something
The old town is steeped in history.
His novels are steeped in the culture of his childhood.
The ceremony is steeped in tradition.
Common combinations
- steeped in history
- The university is steeped in history.
- steeped in tradition
- The festival is steeped in tradition.
- steeped in controversy
- The decision was steeped in controversy.
- steeped in hot water
- The herbs are steeped in hot water to make tea.
Synonyms and how they differ
- soaked
- Literal; means completely wet, but does not suggest extracting flavor.
- saturated
- Technical; means completely filled with a liquid, often used in science.
- imbued
- Formal; similar figurative meaning but often used with qualities like 'with a sense of'.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: steeped or steep?
steeped vs steep
As an adjective, 'steep' means having a sharp slope (a steep hill). 'Steeped' is the past participle of the verb and means soaked.
Practice
The city is ______ in history.
Choose one answer.
'Steeped' is the correct past participle used figuratively with 'in'. 'Steep' as an adjective means sloping sharply, 'steeply' is an adverb, and 'steepen' is a verb, so none fit.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “steeped”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.