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steep¹

(stēp)

adj. steep·er, steep·est

1. Having a sharp inclination; precipitous.

2. At a rapid or precipitous rate: a steep rise in imports.

a. Excessive; stiff: a steep price.

b. Ambitious; difficult: a steep undertaking.

A precipitous slope.

[Middle English stepe, from Old English stēap.]

steeply adv.

steepness n.

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.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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