(steeper, steepest) [] (about a rise or fall in an amount) sudden and very big（数量升降）急剧的，大起大落的◆The steep decline in demand will cost jobs.需求的急剧下降将会导致失业。◆a steep increase in prices价格的飙升◆the steepest drop in retail sales for five years五年来零售额的最大跌幅 () (about a price or an expense) very high; too high（价格或开支）过高的，过分的◆the steep cost of hiring and training staff雇用和培训员工的高昂成本▸ˈsteeply