steep
/stiːp/ (bre, ipa) · [stˈip] /stiːp/ (ame, ipa)
steep — 形容詞
- steeppositive
- steepercomparative
- steepestsuperlative
1. describing a slope or surface with such a large angle that moving along it is no
陡峭的
坡度大，不容易攀爬的
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.
那條山路非常陡峭，Min 不得不停下來休息好幾次。
steep + noun for a physical slope
Tara looked up at the steep cliff wall and decided not to try climbing it.
Tara 抬頭看著陡峭的懸崖，決定不試著攀爬。
The staircase to the top floor is steep and narrow, so please hold the railing.
通往頂樓的樓梯又陡又窄，請務必抓好扶手。
Karim's bike rolled backward because the driveway was simply too steep.
Karim 的腳踏車往後滑，因為車道實在太陡了。
Evelyn chose the longer trail because it was less steep than the shortcut.
Evelyn 選擇了較長的路線，因為那條路比捷徑不那麼陡。
- 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
急遽的
數量或程度快速升降的
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.
該公司在新產品上市後，銷售量出現急遽成長。
steep + rise / fall / drop for rapid change
There has been a steep drop in temperature over the past few hours.
過去幾小時內氣溫急遽下降。
Steep increases in rent forced many families to move to cheaper areas.
租金急遽上漲，迫使許多家庭搬到較便宜的地區。
The airline reported a steep fall in passenger numbers during the winter months.
該航空公司冬季的旅客人數急遽下滑。
A steep rise in unemployment followed the economic crisis in the region.
該地區的失業率在經濟危機後急遽上升。
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
過高；昂貴
價格不合理地高的
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.
一杯咖啡要八歐元，我覺得有點太貴了。
Tuan thought the ticket prices were too steep for a two-hour show.
Tuan 覺得兩個小時的表演，票價太過昂貴。
steep used informally for high prices
The restaurant's prices are steep, but the food is excellent.
這家餐廳的價格很貴，但食物非常好吃。
Folake decided the repair cost was too steep and looked for a cheaper option.
Folake 認為維修費用過高，於是找了比較便宜的選項。
Many visitors complained about the steep admission fee at the museum.
許多遊客抱怨博物館的門票費用過高。
- 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 — 名詞
1. a place where the ground drops sharply, such as a cliff, hillside, or escarpment
懸崖；陡坡
陡峭的地方，如懸崖或山坡
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.
健行者站在陡坡邊緣，俯瞰山谷。
the steep used as a countable noun for a cliff face
The mountain goats climbed the steep with surprising ease.
野山羊以驚人的輕鬆姿態爬上了陡坡。
the steep as a standalone countable noun
Zayd photographed the rocky steep from across the canyon.
Zayd 從峽谷對面拍下了那片陡峭的岩壁。
A narrow path zigzagged down the steep toward the river below.
一條狹窄的小徑沿著陡坡蜿蜒而下，通往山下的河流。
The villagers built their homes at the base of the steep for shelter from storms.
村民們在陡坡山腳下蓋房子，以避風吹襲。
- 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 — 動詞
- 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
浸泡；沖泡
將物品放入液體中使其軟化或入味
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.
Ramón 讓茶包在熱水中浸泡了五分鐘。
steep + in + liquid (cooking/tea context)
The recipe says to steep the dried mushrooms in warm water for an hour.
食譜上說要將乾香菇在溫水中浸泡一個小時。
Ilan steeped the herbs in oil to make a flavoured dressing for the salad.
Ilan 將香草浸泡在油中，為沙拉製作調味醬。
You should steep the fabric in the dye solution for at least thirty minutes.
你應該將布料在染料溶液中浸泡至少三十分鐘。
Marco steeped the rice in cold water before cooking it to remove extra starch.
Marco 將米浸泡在冷水中再煮，以去除多餘的澱粉。
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
沉浸；專注
深入參與或受某事物深刻影響
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.
Stefan 在義大利一個小村莊度過了整個夏天，完全沉浸在當地的文化中。
steeped in + culture/tradition/history (figurative)
The novel is steeped in mystery and keeps the reader guessing until the end.
這本小說充滿了神祕色彩，讓讀者一直猜測到最後。
Eve steeped herself in the study of ancient languages during her years at university.
Eve 在大學期間全心投入古語的研究。
The town's history is steeped in stories of explorers and traders from centuries ago.
這個小鎮的歷史充滿了數百年前探險家和商人的故事。
After months steeped in the research project, the scientist could answer any question about it.
沉浸在那個研究計畫幾個月之後，那位科學家可以回答任何相關問題。
- 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.