steep
/stiːp/ (bre, ipa) · [stˈip] /stiːp/ (ame, ipa)
steep — adjective
- steeppositive
- steepercomparative
- steepestsuperlative
1. describing a slope or surface with such a large angle that moving along it is no
describing a slope or surface with such a large angle that moving along it is noticeably more difficult.
The mountain path was so steep that Min had to stop and rest several times.
steep + noun for a physical slope
Tara looked up at the steep cliff wall and decided not to try climbing it.
The staircase to the top floor is steep and narrow, so please hold the railing.
Karim's bike rolled backward because the driveway was simply too steep.
Evelyn chose the longer trail because it was less steep than the shortcut.
- sheer
even more vertical, often suggesting a straight drop rather than a slope
- precipitous
formal; describes a dangerously steep drop
- vertical
at a 90-degree angle, completely straight up and down
用法筆記
Most common with nouns referring to outdoor features: hill, slope, path, trail, staircase, driveway, roof, cliff.
常見錯誤
2. describing a sudden and large increase or decrease in an amount, level, rate, or
describing a sudden and large increase or decrease in an amount, level, rate, or value.
The company saw a steep rise in sales after the new product launch.
steep + rise / fall / drop for rapid change
There has been a steep drop in temperature over the past few hours.
Steep increases in rent forced many families to move to cheaper areas.
The airline reported a steep fall in passenger numbers during the winter months.
A steep rise in unemployment followed the economic crisis in the region.
用法筆記
Nearly always appears before a noun denoting a change in quantity: rise, fall, drop, increase, decline, reduction. Not used for small or gradual changes.
常見錯誤
3. describing a price, cost, or fee that is surprisingly or unreasonably high — oft
describing a price, cost, or fee that is surprisingly or unreasonably high — often in informal speech implying objection.
Eight euros for a cup of coffee seems a bit steep to me.
Tuan thought the ticket prices were too steep for a two-hour show.
steep used informally for high prices
The restaurant's prices are steep, but the food is excellent.
Folake decided the repair cost was too steep and looked for a cheaper option.
Many visitors complained about the steep admission fee at the museum.
- expensive
neutral; simply means costing a lot
- exorbitant
formal; much higher than is reasonable
- excessive
beyond what is acceptable or fair
- cheap
low in price; good value
- reasonable
fair and acceptable in price
用法筆記
Informal register; common in everyday complaints about prices. Stronger than 'expensive' — carries a sense of unfairness. Does NOT describe physical slopes.
常見錯誤
steep — noun
1. a place where the ground drops sharply, such as a cliff, hillside, or escarpment
a place where the ground drops sharply, such as a cliff, hillside, or escarpment — often used geographically or poetically.
The hikers stood at the edge of the steep and looked down into the valley.
the steep used as a countable noun for a cliff face
The mountain goats climbed the steep with surprising ease.
the steep as a standalone countable noun
Zayd photographed the rocky steep from across the canyon.
A narrow path zigzagged down the steep toward the river below.
The villagers built their homes at the base of the steep for shelter from storms.
- cliff
a high, steep face of rock; more common in everyday English
- escarpment
formal; a long, steep slope separating two level areas
- bluff
a steep cliff beside a river or sea
用法筆記
Less common in everyday conversation than the adjective. Appears mostly in geographical descriptions, literature, and nature writing. Often preceded by 'the'.
常見錯誤
steep — verb
- steeppresent simple I / you / we / they
- steeps3rd person singular
- steeping-ing form
- steepedpast simple
1. to leave food, herbs, or other items in hot or cold liquid so that the liquid ab
to leave food, herbs, or other items in hot or cold liquid so that the liquid absorbs their flavour, or the items soften, become clean, or release their qualities.
Ramón let the tea bag steep in hot water for five minutes.
steep + in + liquid (cooking/tea context)
The recipe says to steep the dried mushrooms in warm water for an hour.
Ilan steeped the herbs in oil to make a flavoured dressing for the salad.
You should steep the fabric in the dye solution for at least thirty minutes.
Marco steeped the rice in cold water before cooking it to remove extra starch.
文法句型
steep + object + in + liquid
steep + (no object)
用法筆記
Can be used transitively (steep + object) or intransitively (let the tea steep). The liquid is usually below boiling point. Common in tea-making, cooking, dyeing, and herbal preparation contexts.
常見錯誤
2. to be thoroughly immersed in or strongly affected by a particular atmosphere, ac
to be thoroughly immersed in or strongly affected by a particular atmosphere, activity, tradition, or influence — for example, a town steeped in history, or a student steeping herself in a subject.
Stefan spent the summer steeped in the local culture of a small Italian village.
steeped in + culture/tradition/history (figurative)
The novel is steeped in mystery and keeps the reader guessing until the end.
Eve steeped herself in the study of ancient languages during her years at university.
The town's history is steeped in stories of explorers and traders from centuries ago.
After months steeped in the research project, the scientist could answer any question about it.
- detached from
not involved or influenced by
- untouched by
not affected at all
文法句型
be steeped in [noun]
steep oneself in [noun]
用法筆記
Most common in the passive form ('steeped in') or the reflexive form ('steep oneself in'). The figurative sense borrows from the literal 'soak' meaning — something is fully saturated by an influence. Frequent in formal and literary writing.