verb

ooze

ooz

Ooze (verb) means to leak or flow out slowly, especially a thick or sticky substance. Example: “Sap slowly oozed from the cut in the tree bark.”

verb

To leak or flow out slowly, especially a thick or sticky substance.

"Sap slowly oozed from the cut in the tree bark."

"Blood oozed from the small cut on his hand."

To display a quality very strongly and noticeably.

"The actor oozed confidence as he walked onto the stage."

noun

Soft, wet mud or slime, especially at the bottom of a river, lake, or seabed.

"Their boots sank into the ooze along the riverbank."

How to use ooze

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo slowly leak or seep out, like thick liquid — or, figuratively, to visibly radiate a quality like charm or confidence.

Common pairings

ooze confidence ooze charm ooze out of

Word forms

oozed past tense, oozes plural, oozes plural, oozes singular

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Sap slowly _____ from the cut in the tree bark.

Etymology

From Old English wōs ("sap, juice"), related to Old High German wasal ("rain") — a Germanic root tied to slow seepage and moisture.

Origin: Old English

Synonyms

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goo sludge slime goop gunk muck seep exude oozing guck seepage exudate

Related words

money max dirty dirt MUD leak heroin bleed

Rhymes for ooze

doze booze snooze schmooze bulldoze

See all rhymes for ooze →

Frequently asked questions

What does “ooze” mean?

The word “ooze” means to leak or flow out slowly, especially a thick or sticky substance. In plain terms, to slowly leak or seep out, like thick liquid — or, figuratively, to visibly radiate a quality like charm or confidence.

How do you pronounce “ooze”?

“Ooze” is pronounced ooz (/uːz/ in IPA).

How do you use “ooze” in a sentence?

Here is “ooze” used in a sentence: “Sap slowly oozed from the cut in the tree bark.”

What part of speech is “ooze”?

Depending on how it is used, “ooze” can be a verb and a noun.

Where does the word “ooze” come from?

The word “ooze” comes from Old English. From Old English wōs ("sap, juice"), related to Old High German wasal ("rain") — a Germanic root tied to slow seepage and moisture.

How many meanings does “ooze” have?

“Ooze” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to leak or flow out slowly, especially a thick or sticky substance.

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