What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
steep
Example
The hike up the steep mountain was challenging but rewarding. [steep: adjective]
Example
Be careful driving on this steep road, it can be dangerous. [steep: adjective]
Example
The cost of the new car was too steep for my budget. [steep: adjective]
slope
Example
The slope of the hill made it easy to walk up. [slope: noun]
Example
The roof of the house had a gentle slope to allow for rainwater runoff. [slope: noun]
Example
The graph shows a downward slope in sales over the past year. [slope: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Slope is more commonly used than steep in everyday language. Slope is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while steep is less common and often used in specific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between steep and slope?
Both steep and slope can be used in formal and informal contexts, but slope is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of formality levels.
