Inflected forms: steep·er, steep·est 1. Having a sharp inclination; precipitous. 2. At a rapid or precipitous rate: a steep rise in salaries.3a. Excessive; stiff: a steep price.b. Ambitious; difficult: a steep undertaking.
NOUN:
A precipitous slope.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English stepe, from Old English stap.
OTHER FORMS:
steeply —ADVERB steepness —NOUN
SYNONYMS:
steep1, abrupt, precipitous, sheer2 These adjectives mean so sharply inclined as to be almost perpendicular: steep cliffs; an abrupt drop-off; precipitous hills; a sheer descent.
st
p
ly —ADVERB
