steepness

/ˈstiːpnəs/ (bre, ipa) · [stˈipnəs] /ˈstiːpnəs/ (ame, ipa)

steepness — noun

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

1.名詞C1
釋義

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

例句

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

同義詞
  • 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

反義詞

文法句型

the steepness of + hill/road/path/stairs

用法筆記

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.名詞C1
釋義

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

例句

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

同義詞
  • 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

反義詞

文法句型

the steepness of + rise/fall/increase/drop

用法筆記

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.