Definition

Noun: 1. A person who discloses confidential or secret information, especially to the media or the public, without authorization. This is the primary and most common meaning. A leaker acts covertly, often from within an organization, to reveal information that was meant to be kept private. 2. A source of an unintended escape or disclosure. In a more literal sense, it can refer to anything that allows a substance (like a liquid or gas) or information to escape from a container or system.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Person):
  • The journalist protected the identity of her leaker, who was a senior official in the government.
  • The company launched an investigation to find the leaker who shared the prototype designs with a competitor.
  • Identifying the leaker within the intelligence agency became a top priority.

Advanced Usage

• "A leaker of information": This phrase is sometimes used for emphasis, though "leaker" alone is sufficient.
  • He was accused of being a leaker of information detrimental to national security.
• The term often carries a negative connotation, implying betrayal of trust or violation of rules. However, in contexts like whistleblowing, the leaker may be viewed positively by the public.

Variants and Related Words

• Leak (verb/noun): The act of disclosing or the information disclosed.
  • Verb: Someone leaked the report to the press.
  • Noun: The leak caused a major scandal.
• Leaky (adjective): Prone to leaking.
  • A leaky faucet; a leaky security system.

Synonyms

• Informant: A more neutral term for someone who provides information.
• Mole: An informant who has infiltrated an organization (often used in espionage).
• Whistleblower: A person who exposes wrongdoing within an organization, typically to the public or authorities. This term usually has a positive connotation.
• Source: A general term for the origin of information, especially in journalism.

Related Phrases

• To leak information: The action performed by a leaker.
  • An anonymous official leaked information about the meeting.

Noun

1. a surreptitious informant
   • the president wanted to know who the leakers were