steepness

IPA/ˈstiːpnəs/
KK[stˈipnəs]IPA/ˈstiːpnəs/

steepness — noun

1. the quality of a hill, road, path, or other surface going up or down at a very s

1.nounC1
Definition

the quality of a hill, road, path, or other surface going up or down at a very sharp angle

Example

The steepness of the hill made Antonia stop twice to rest.

the steepness of + hill affected movement

Because of the path's steepness, Linh used both hands to climb.

because of + steepness

Common collocations
  • the steepness of the hill
  • judge the steepness
  • dangerous steepness
  • the steepness of the climb
Synonyms
  • gradient

    more technical; common in maths, maps, and road signs

  • slope

    often names the surface itself, not just how sharp it is

  • incline

    can describe the upward slant or the sloping surface

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

the steepness of + hill/road/path/stairs

Usage Note

Often used with 'of' before a noun naming a hill, road, path, stairway, or climb. It focuses on physical shape, unlike sense 2, which is about how fast a number changes.

2. the quality of a price, number, or level moving a long way up or down in only a

2.nounC1
Definition

the quality of a price, number, or level moving a long way up or down in only a short time

Example

The steepness of the rent increase shocked families on the street.

the steepness of + increase

Investors worried about the steepness of the market's fall that week.

the steepness of + fall

Common collocations
  • the steepness of the rise
  • the steepness of the fall
  • measure the steepness of the increase
  • worry about the steepness of the drop
Synonyms
  • sharpness

    common for sudden rises or falls, especially on charts

  • abruptness

    stresses how suddenly the change happens

  • rapidity

    focuses more on speed than on the size of the rise or drop

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

the steepness of + rise/fall/increase/drop

Usage Note

Usually used for prices, rates, scores, and rises or falls shown on a chart. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is about the speed and size of change, not the shape of physical ground.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Steepness' is the noun you use when you want to talk about how sharply something rises or falls. 'Slope' often names the surface itself, though in everyday English it can also refer to the angle. 'Gradient' is more technical and is common in maths, engineering, road signs, and charts. 'Incline' can describe either the upward slant or the sloping surface, so it often sounds a little more physical than 'steepness'. When you move from real ground to charts or prices, 'steepness' can still work for a rapid rise or fall, while 'gradient' stays more technical. Compare: 'The steepness of the road made cycling hard' focuses on the feel of the hill, but 'The chart showed a steep gradient' sounds more formal and visual.

steepness ↗slope ↗gradient ↗incline ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • degree of steepness

Phrases

  • measure the steepness
  • judge the steepness

Prepositions

  • steepness of

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

Steepness is formed from the adjective 'steep' and the noun-forming suffix '-ness'. 'Steep' comes from Old English 'steap', which described something high, lofty, or sharply rising. Adding '-ness' turns that idea into a noun for the quality itself, so the word names how sharply something goes up or down.