verb · academic
steepen
/ˈstiːpən/STEE·pen
Band 6-7task1task2
to make or become steeper; to increase sharply in slope or rate
Examples
“From 2010 to 2015 the graph shows the curve steepened dramatically.”
“Rising demand steepened prices in the housing market.”
“The hill steepens after the first kilometre.”
Band 8 sentence
“Between quarter two and quarter three the employment rate steepened significantly, reflecting a sudden shift in the local economy.”
Collocations
- the curve steepened
- prices steepened
- steepen dramatically/sharply
Word family
steepen verbsteepens verb (3rd sg)steepened verb (past / participle)steepening verb (gerund) / nounsteep adjective / verb (related)
Common mistakes
The line became steep last year.→The line steepened last year.
Prices are steeping quickly.→Prices are steepening quickly.
Say it for a higher band
5rise→6increase sharply→7+steepen
Synonyms
rise sharply
escalate
Easily confused
rise
“House prices rose sharply over the decade.”
Related words
Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.
In -en
Learn it with its set