What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
steepness
Example
The steepness of the hill made it difficult to climb. [steepness: noun]
Example
The steepness of the rollercoaster made my stomach drop. [steepness: noun]
slope
Example
The slope of the roof was too steep to walk on. [slope: noun]
Example
The skier glided down the slope with ease. [slope: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Slope is more commonly used than steepness in technical or scientific contexts, while steepness is more commonly used in everyday language to describe the difficulty level of climbing or descending a surface.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between steepness and slope?
Slope is more formal than steepness, as it is more commonly used in technical or scientific contexts.