steepness

Everyday

1. Steepness is how steep something is: how sharply a slope, hill, road or roof goes up or down. tree →
2. (maths) In maths the steepness of a line is measured by its gradient or slope: how far it goes up for every step across. tree →

In the lessons

In geography it describes hills and mountains (steepness is shown by contour lines that are close together on a map). In science, a ramp's steepness changes how fast a toy car rolls. In maths a steeper line on a graph shows something changing faster. Phrases: the steepness of the hill, the steepness of the slope.

Examples

• The steepness of the hill made us get off our bikes and push. tree →
• On a map, close contour lines show great steepness. tree →
• We changed the steepness of the ramp and timed the car. tree →
• The steepness of the roof lets snow slide off. tree →
• The steepness of the line on the graph shows how fast the plant grew. tree →
• Grandad was worried about the steepness of the steps. tree →

Note

Uncountable: no «a», no plural. From steep + -ness. In maths: gradient = rise ÷ run (how far up ÷ how far across); a bigger number means a steeper line. A steeper slope is harder to climb but quicker to roll down.