Steeply is an adverb that is used to describe the manner in which something rises or falls sharply, quickly, or abruptly. It indicates a significant and noticeable incline or decline in angle, gradient, or pitch. The term is typically associated with physical aspects such as hills, mountains, slopes, or stairs, but it can also be extended to describe non-physical concepts like price, value, or statistics.
When applied to topography, a steeply rising mountain signifies that the ascent is steep, presenting a challenging and difficult climb. Similarly, a steeply descending terrain implies a rapid descent or a sudden drop in elevation. In this context, "steeply" relates to the intensity of the incline or decline.
Outside the realm of physical landscapes, "steeply" can be employed to describe other situations. For instance, if the price of a product or service rises steeply, it means that the increase is significant, sudden, or disproportionately high. Conversely, if a graph depicting statistics declines steeply, it suggests a rapid drop or a noteworthy decrease.
Overall, "steeply" is a versatile adverb that denotes a pronounced and abrupt change in slope, angle, value, or quantity. It is used to emphasize the sharpness, rapidity, or intensity of the rise or fall being described.
