steepness

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "steepness" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe an incline, a hill, or some other sloped surface that has a sharp incline. For example, "The steepness of the mountain made the climb difficult."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Both types of waves break because they become too steep, but the reasons for the steepness differ.

The New York Times

"We always said we would look at the steepness of the curve.

The Guardian

So you're right, we still have more work to do but when you look at the steepness of the growth and change I think we've done much better than those around us and even national averages.

The Economist

The extraordinary steepness of its population decline seems to have concentrated minds.

The Economist

Nevertheless, South Korean officials appeared to be slightly surprised this week, both by the steepness of the planned cuts and by the speed with which the troops are to be withdrawn.

The Economist

These long periods, coupled with the extremely low steepness of the waves, enables them to be completely obscured in deep water by normal wind waves and swell.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The mosque's southern entrance, a massive gateway called the Buland Darwaza (Victory Gate), gives a feeling of immense strength and height, an impression emphasized by the steepness of the flight of steps by which it is approached.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Poggendorff illusion depends on the steepness of the intersecting lines.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For men's international championship events, the downhill course is typically 2.4 to 5 km (1.5 to 3 miles) long, with a vertical descent of up to 1,000 metres (3,281 feet) and terrain of a steepness and difficulty appropriate to the skill and endurance of the competitors.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Similarly, the mathematical technique for finding a tangent line to a curve at a given point can also be used to calculate the steepness of a curved hill or the angle through which a moving boat must turn to avoid a collision.

Encyclopedia Britannica

All the glaciers are notable for their unusual steepness and for their paucity of meltwater.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a physical feature, use "steepness" to precisely convey the degree of incline or slope. For abstract concepts, consider if "difficulty" or "severity" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "steepness" when you actually mean "height". "Steepness" refers to the angle of inclination, while "height" refers to the vertical distance from base to top.

Linguistic Context

The word "steepness" functions primarily as a noun, representing the quality or state of being steep. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for written English, denoting the degree of inclination or slope of a surface or the intensity of a learning curve.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Encyclopedias

35%

Science

26%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "steepness" is a versatile noun used to describe the degree of inclination or difficulty, as validated by Ludwig AI. It is grammatically sound and appears frequently in reputable sources such as The New York Times and Encyclopedia Britannica. While its primary function is descriptive, conveying the magnitude of a slope or challenge, it is crucial to differentiate it from related concepts like "height" or "slope". Synonyms like "gradient" and "inclination" can offer nuanced alternatives, and the phrase often appears in describing the phrase the ""steepness of the learning curve"". Remember to employ "steepness" to precisely characterize the sharpness of inclines or the intensity of challenges.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gradient

Focuses on the rate of change of incline, often used in mathematical or geographical contexts.

inclination

Highlights the angle of a slope relative to a horizontal plane.

pitch

Implies a specific angle of slope, commonly used in construction or roofing.

grade

Refers to the degree of slope, often used in engineering or road construction.

abruptness

Emphasizes the sudden change in elevation or difficulty.

precipitousness

Highlights the sheer drop or extreme steepness of a slope.

sharpness of incline

More explicitly describes the quick increase in elevation.

severity of slope

Focuses on the intensity or degree of the slope's inclination.

difficulty

Shifts the focus from physical steepness to the challenge presented by a task or climb.

arduousness

Highlights the demanding nature of a task, often related to a steep climb or challenge.

FAQs

How is "steepness" used in a sentence?

"Steepness" is used to describe the degree of inclination of a slope or the difficulty of a climb. For example, "The "steepness" of the hill made it hard to cycle up".

What are some synonyms for "steepness"?

Alternatives to "steepness" include "gradient", "inclination", and "pitch", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the steepness of the learning curve"?

Yes, "the "steepness of the learning curve"" is a common idiom referring to how quickly someone needs to learn something.

What's the difference between "steepness" and "slope"?

"Slope" generally refers to an inclined surface, while "steepness" refers to the degree of that "slope". You can have a gentle slope or a slope with great "steepness".