Word of the Day: Leak
A leak is a problem. A hole or a crack suddenly appears in a closed system, thereby releasing air or some kind of liquid. Pipes, tires, engines, hoses, and balloons are all known to develop leaks.
In these examples, the word “leak” is a noun:
- A leak in the engine produced a small puddle of oil underneath the car.
- Because the balloon had a small leak, it gradually released all of its air.
- There’s a leak in a pipe above the ceiling.
In these sentences, “leak” is a verb:
- My car is leaking oil.
- The pipe that leads to the kitchen sink leaks.
- Enough helium leaked out of the balloon so that it wouldn’t float any longer.
- Water leaked into the basement after a big storm.
The word “leaky” is an adjective:
- Leaky pipes in the ceiling caused a big mess for the people in the downstairs apartment.
- I’ve got a leaky faucet.
- A leaky pipeline can wreak havoc in the environment.
It’s also possible to use the word “leak” when describing information given to newspaper reporters and other members of the press.
- A government official leaked information to the press.
- After someone in the company intentionally leaked pictures of the new phone, they went viral.
Essential English Dictionary
Visit the Popular English Words Beginning with L page to see the list of all words starting with letter L. For seeing the HiCafe dictionary, visit the Popular English Words with Meaning page.
