verb
seep
seep
Seep (verb) means to flow or leak slowly through small openings or a porous surface. Example: “Water began to seep through the cracks in the ceiling.”
verb
1
To flow or leak slowly through small openings or a porous surface.
"Water began to seep through the cracks in the ceiling."
"Doubt slowly seeped into her confidence."
noun
1
A place where liquid, such as water or oil, slowly oozes out of the ground.
"The hikers found a natural spring seep near the trail."
How to use seep
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo leak slowly, bit by bit, rather than pouring or gushing.
Common pairings
seep through
seep into
water seeps
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Word forms
- Plural
- seeps
- Third person singular
- seeps
- Past tense
- seeped
Fill the gap
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Water began to _____ through the cracks in the ceiling.
Etymology
A variant of the older English word sipe, from a Germanic root meaning "to drip or trickle" — related to the German word for tallow, sebum-like fats that slowly ooze.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for seep
See all rhymes for seep →Frequently asked questions
What does “seep” mean?
The word “seep” means to flow or leak slowly through small openings or a porous surface. In plain terms, to leak slowly, bit by bit, rather than pouring or gushing.
How do you pronounce “seep”?
“Seep” is pronounced seep (/siːp/ in IPA).
How do you use “seep” in a sentence?
Here is “seep” used in a sentence: “Water began to seep through the cracks in the ceiling.”
What is another word for “seep”?
Words with a similar meaning to “seep” include leak.
What part of speech is “seep”?
Depending on how it is used, “seep” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “seep” come from?
The word “seep” comes from Germanic. A variant of the older English word sipe, from a Germanic root meaning "to drip or trickle" — related to the German word for tallow, sebum-like fats that slowly ooze.
How many meanings does “seep” have?
“Seep” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to flow or leak slowly through small openings or a porous surface.
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