leak
LEEK
/liːk/
An accidental hole or crack through which liquid or gas escapes; to escape or allow to escape through a crack.
Implies an unintentional, often slow and damaging escape of fluid, rather than a controlled release.
The story behind the word. The word comes to us from Old Norse 'leka', used by Viking sailors to describe the terrifying moment when water began to drip through the wooden planks of their longships. It has remained a word associated with structural failure and unwanted water ever since.
Word relationships
- seep: 'Seep' implies a very slow, capillary-like movement through a porous material, while 'leak' implies a hole or crack.
- drip: 'Drip' refers specifically to falling drops of liquid, while a 'leak' can be a continuous spray or stream.
- seal: To close a gap completely to prevent any fluid escape.
Commonly confused with
- spill: A spill is an accidental tipping over of a container, while a leak is an escape through a structural flaw or hole.
Word family
- leakage (noun): The state or amount of liquid leaking.
- leaky (adjective): Prone to leaking.
Collocations
- water leak
- slow leak
- fix a leak
- leak water
Idioms & expressions
- leak like a sieve
- take a leak
Example sentences
- "A slow leak behind the drywall had caused a patch of mold to grow." A homeowner discovering water damage.
- "If the pipe joints are not sealed with Teflon tape, they will likely leak." A plumbing troubleshooting guide.
Memory hook
A 'leak' in the pipe will make you want to 'shriek' when you see the water bill. Leak: Water escaping where it shouldn't.
When not to use
Do not use 'leak' to describe water flowing through an open valve or faucet; that is 'flow' or 'discharge'.
Fun facts
- A single pinhole leak in a home's plumbing system can lose up to 170 gallons of water per day at standard household pressure.
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