Definition

1. Noun:

   • An accidental hole or crack that allows something to escape or enter: A leak is an unintended opening through which a substance (like liquid, gas, or light) can pass.
   • The substance that escapes or enters through such an opening: A leak can also refer to the fluid or gas itself that is escaping.
   • An unauthorized disclosure of secret information: A leak is the act of making confidential information known to the public without permission.

2. Verb:

   • To accidentally escape or enter through a hole or crack: When a substance (like water, gas, or light) leaks, it passes in or out through an unintended opening.
   • To have such a hole or crack: An object leaks if it has an opening that allows something to pass through.
   • To disclose secret information without authorization: To leak information is to reveal it secretly and often improperly.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • We found a leak in the water pipe. (We discovered a hole in the pipe.)
  • There was a gas leak in the building, so everyone had to evacuate. (Gas was escaping into the building.)
  • The newspaper published the story based on a leak from the government. (The story came from a secret disclosure of information.)

• Verb:

  • The roof leaks whenever it rains. (Water enters the house through the roof when it rains.)
  • Oil was leaking from the engine. (Oil was escaping from the engine.)
  • Someone leaked the company's financial plans to a competitor. (Someone secretly gave the plans to a competitor.)

Advanced Usage

• "To spring/start a leak": to begin to have a hole and let liquid in or out.
  • The old boat sprang a leak and began to sink.
• "To plug/stop a leak": to repair a hole so nothing escapes.
  • The plumber stopped the leak under the sink.
• "To take/have a leak" (informal, euphemism): to urinate.
  • He stopped the car to take a leak.

Variants and Related Words

• Leakage (n): The process or an instance of leaking.
  • The leakage of toxic chemicals was a major environmental disaster.
• Leaky (adj): Having a leak or leaks.
  • We need to replace this leaky faucet.
• Leaker (n): A person who leaks information.
  • The identity of the leaker remains unknown.

Synonyms

• Drip (v/n): To fall or let fall in small drops; a small drop of liquid.
• Seep (v): To flow or pass slowly through small openings.
• Disclosure (n): The act of making new or secret information known.
• Reveal (v): To make previously unknown information known to others.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Leak out: (For information) to become known to the public, often gradually or secretly.
  • Details of the scandal slowly leaked out over several weeks.
• Leak in: (For a substance) to enter a place through a hole or crack.
  • Cold air was leaking in through the window frame.

Related Idioms

• A leaky ship: Often used metaphorically to describe an organization where secret information is easily disclosed.
  • The administration was like a leaky ship; reporters knew everything before the official announcements.
• To have a memory like a sieve/to be leaky: To forget things easily. (Note: "Leaky" is less common in this idiom than "sieve").
  • I'm sorry I forgot your birthday; my memory is a bit leaky these days.

Noun

1. unauthorized (especially deliberate) disclosure of confidential information
2. the discharge of a fluid from some container
   • they tried to stop the escape of gas from the damaged pipe
   • he had to clean up the leak
3. a euphemism for urination
   • he had to take a leak
4. soft watery rot in fruits and vegetables caused by fungi
5. an accidental hole that allows something (fluid or light etc.) to enter or escape
   • one of the tires developed a leak

Verb

1. have an opening that allows light or substances to enter or go out
   • The container leaked gasoline
   • the roof leaks badly
2. enter or escape as through a hole or crack or fissure
   • Water leaked out of the can into the backpack
   • Gas leaked into the basement
3. be leaked
   • The news leaked out despite his secrecy
4. tell anonymously
   • The news were leaked to the paper