Steep describes something with a sharp, almost vertical slope or angle. A steep hill challenges bikers because it climbs sharply upward, making every pedal stroke feel heavy. A steep staircase rises at such a sharp angle that you might need to hold the railing. Mountain roads with steep sections often have warning signs because drivers need to control their speed carefully on such dramatic inclines.

The word also describes prices or costs that seem unreasonably high. When a store charges steep prices, you might feel shocked at how expensive everything is. If someone asks you to pay a steep fee just to enter a carnival, you might wonder if the rides inside are really worth that much money.

Both meanings share a sense of intensity: whether you're climbing a steep path or facing steep costs, something feels extreme and challenging. You're dealing with more than you expected, more than feels comfortable. A gentle hill becomes difficult when it gets steep. A reasonable price becomes unaffordable when it turns steep.