verb
leach
leech
verb
1
To remove a soluble substance from something by letting liquid filter through it, or (of a substance) to be removed this way.
"Heavy rain can leach nutrients out of the soil."
"Chemicals from the old factory leached into the groundwater."
How to Use Leach
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo seep out of something, or draw a substance out by percolation.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "leech" (the bloodsucking worm, or a person who exploits others) — they sound alike but are unrelated.
Easily confused with
Word Forms
leached past tense, Leaches plural, leaches singular
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “leach”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
Heavy rain can _____ nutrients out of the soil.
Etymology
From Old English leċċan, related to a Proto-Germanic root meaning "to leak."