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

Example sentences from the Web for steepness

British Dictionary definitions for steepness (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 steepness (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