steep

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'steep' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that requires a lot of effort or has a quick, sharp increase in speed, intensity, or slope. For example: The path up the mountain was steep and rocky.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Economist has described the effort as "a new art" for Ukraine of which "the learning curve is steep".

The Guardian

The downside of such a unique situation and character is, of course, the Riviera price tag, often as steep as the Lattari mountains themselves.

The Guardian - Travel

And it's just a short (but steep) walk from Flamands beach, which has magnificent waves that roll in off the reefs, clapping and hissing, and then racing up the sand in protruding fingers of surf.

The Guardian - Travel

And even as public support for the death penalty is in welcome steep decline, back in 2011 the DUP called for a parliamentary debate to reinstate it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Parishioner Gemma Cort, 44, said local children were helping drivers by pushing cars up the steep A61 in Sheffield when they spotted the coach and a decision was taken to open the church.

The Guardian - Business

But it also follows a steep nearly 30% decline in overall funding to the Highways Agency since then: from £4.1bn in 2009-10 to £2.9bn in 2012-13.

The Guardian

Here's our own cycling doyen Will Fotheringham with his preview of today's stage: The Tour won't be won in Steel City but one of the favourites could lose it here, as the series of short steep climbs and some abrupt, narrow and very technical descents – equally difficult, particularly if the roads are wet – will make for a demanding finale, where a crash or a puncture could be very costly.

The Guardian - Sport

The route between Klemensker and Rø takes you down a narrow fissure valley between steep cliffs.

The Guardian - Travel

The ground, and it is a ground not a stadium, rises up straight – square, concrete, steep, 14,700 fans within touching distance of the pitch.

The Guardian - Sport

In protest against Hamburger SV's steep prices for away standing tickets, they vacated their block after 10 minutes to follow the game outside the ground, next to two portable buildings that had been helpfully provided by the Imtech Arena.

The Guardian - Sport

Sturgeon reiterated that "austerity is pushing people into poverty" – a fact backed up by the steep rise in the number of people using food banks in the last five years, and repeated by Miliband, who reminded us that wages do not keep pace with rising living costs.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a learning curve, use "steep" to emphasize the rapid pace and intensity of the learning process. For example, "The new software had a steep learning curve."

Common error

Avoid using "steep" to describe gradual or slow changes. "Steep" implies a rapid and significant increase or decrease. For gradual changes, use words like "gradual" or "steady" instead.

Linguistic Context

The word "steep" primarily functions as an adjective, describing the degree of inclination of a slope, the high cost of something, or the rapid pace of a change. Ludwig provides examples illustrating these uses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Travel

25%

Sport

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "steep" is a versatile adjective with meanings ranging from sharply inclined slopes to excessively high prices. As shown by Ludwig, its usage is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in News & Media, Travel, and Sport contexts. When writing, remember that "steep" is best used to describe rapid changes, significant inclines, or very high costs, as misusing it for gradual changes is a common error. Consider alternatives like "sharply inclined" or "highly-priced" to provide more specific nuance. Overall, "steep" effectively conveys intensity and extremity in various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sharply inclined

Focuses specifically on the physical attribute of a sharp, upward angle.

sheer incline

Describes an incline that is completely vertical or nearly so.

abrupt ascent

Conveys a sudden and rapid increase in height or elevation.

precipitous slope

Highlights the dangerous and sudden drop of a slope or gradient.

highly-priced

Emphasizes the expensive nature or high cost associated with something.

prohibitively costly

Suggests that the cost is so high it prevents someone from purchasing or doing something.

exorbitantly expensive

Intensifies the idea of something being extremely overpriced.

unconscionably high

Implies a moral judgment on something being unfairly or excessively high.

marked decline

Focuses on a significant and noticeable decrease in something.

substantial increase

Highlights the significant rise in quantity, size or degree.

FAQs

How can I use "steep" in a sentence?

You can use "steep" to describe a sharp incline, a high price, or a rapid change. For example, "The mountain had a steep slope" or "The learning curve was very steep".

What is an alternative to the word "steep"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "steep" include "sharply inclined", "highly-priced", or "abrupt ascent".

When is it appropriate to use "steep" to describe a price?

Use "steep" to describe a price when it is considered excessively high or unreasonable. Alternatives include "exorbitantly expensive" or "prohibitively costly".

What does it mean when someone says something has a "steep learning curve"?

A "steep learning curve" means that something is difficult to learn initially but becomes easier with practice. It implies that the initial learning phase requires significant effort.