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noun Uncommon

leaking

LEE-kihng

Leaking (noun) means the act of letting liquid, gas, or information escape. Example: “The plumber traced the leaking to a cracked joint.”

noun
1
The act of letting liquid, gas, or information escape.
"The plumber traced the leaking to a cracked joint."

How to use leaking

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe ongoing act or process of leaking.

Common pairings
stop the leaking leaking roof leaking pipe

Word forms

leakings plural

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The plumber traced the _____ to a cracked joint.

Rhymes for leaking

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Frequently asked questions

What does “leaking” mean?

The word “leaking” means the act of letting liquid, gas, or information escape. In plain terms, the ongoing act or process of leaking.

How do you pronounce “leaking”?

“Leaking” is pronounced LEE-kihng (/ˈliːkɪŋ/ in IPA).

How do you use “leaking” in a sentence?

Here is “leaking” used in a sentence: “The plumber traced the leaking to a cracked joint.”

What part of speech is “leaking”?

“Leaking” is a noun.

Is “leaking” a common word?

“Leaking” is an uncommon word in modern English.

What is the difference between leaking and a leak?

Leak is typically used as the noun for the escaped substance or the point of escape, or as the base verb, while leaking is the -ing form describing the ongoing act of letting liquid, gas, or information escape. Leaking emphasises the process happening, whereas leak can refer to the result or the source.

Can leaking refer to information as well as liquid or gas?

Yes, leaking commonly describes the unauthorised escape or disclosure of information, such as leaking documents or leaking a story to the press, alongside its literal use for liquid or gas escaping a container.

Is leaking always accidental?

No, leaking can be either accidental, such as a pipe leaking water, or deliberate, such as someone intentionally leaking confidential information. The word itself does not specify intent, so context determines whether it was intentional.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial