steep

1
[ steep ]
/ stip /

adjective, steep·er, steep·est.

having an almost vertical slope or pitch, or a relatively high gradient, as a hill, an ascent, stairs, etc.
(of a price or amount) unduly high; exorbitant: Those prices are too steep for me.
extreme or incredible, as a statement or story.
high or lofty.

noun

a steep place; declivity, as of a hill.

Origin of steep

1
before 900; Middle English stepe (adj.), Old English stēap; akin to stoop1

OTHER WORDS FROM steep

steep·ly, adverb steep·ness, noun

Definition for steep (2 of 2)

steep 2
[ steep ]
/ stip /

verb (used with object)

to soak in water or other liquid, as to soften, cleanse, or extract some constituent: to steep tea in boiling-hot water; to steep reeds for basket weaving.
to wet thoroughly in or with a liquid; drench; saturate; imbue.
to immerse in or saturate or imbue with some pervading, absorbing, or stupefying influence or agency: an incident steeped in mystery.

verb (used without object)

to lie soaking in a liquid.

noun

the act or process of steeping or the state of being steeped.
a liquid in which something is steeped.

Origin of steep

2
1350–1400; (v.) Middle English stepen < ?; compare Swedish stöpa; (noun) late Middle English stepe, derivative of the v.

OTHER WORDS FROM steep

steep·er, noun un·steeped, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for steep

British Dictionary definitions for steep (1 of 2)

steep 1
/ (stiːp) /

adjective

  1. having or being a slope or gradient approaching the perpendicular
  2. (as noun)the steep
informal (of a fee, price, demand, etc) unduly high; unreasonable (esp in the phrase that's a bit steep)
informal excessively demanding or ambitious a steep task
British informal (of a statement) extreme or far-fetched
obsolete elevated

Derived forms of steep

steeply, adverb steepness, noun

Word Origin for steep

Old English steap; related to Old Frisian stāp, Old High German stouf cliff, Old Norse staup

British Dictionary definitions for steep (2 of 2)

steep 2
/ (stiːp) /

verb

to soak or be soaked in a liquid in order to soften, cleanse, extract an element, etc
(tr; usually passive) to saturate; imbue steeped in ideology

noun

an instance or the process of steeping or the condition of being steeped
a liquid or solution used for the purpose of steeping something

Derived forms of steep

steeper, noun

Word Origin for steep

Old English stēpan; related to steap vessel, cup, Old High German stouf, Old Norse staup, Middle Dutch stōp