seep
/si:n/
Definition
- Verb:
- To flow or pass slowly through small openings or pores, often in a gradual, almost unnoticeable way.
- To leak or ooze out gradually, like a liquid.
Usage
The verb "seep" describes a slow, often unintended movement of a substance, typically a liquid, through a barrier or material. It implies a gradual process that is not forceful or rapid. It is commonly used in both literal and figurative contexts.
Examples
- Literal:
- Water began to seep through the cracks in the basement wall.
- Oil seeped from the old engine onto the garage floor.
- Figurative:
- A feeling of dread seeped into her thoughts.
- Information about the scandal slowly seeped out to the public.
Advanced Usage
- "to seep in/into": to gradually enter or penetrate a place or consciousness.
- The morning light seeped into the dark room.
- The reality of the situation finally seeped into his mind.
- "to seep out": to gradually escape or become known.
- The secret seeped out over several weeks.
Variants and Related Words
- Seepage (noun): The process of seeping; liquid that has seeped.
- Engineers monitored the seepage from the dam.
- Seepy (adjective, informal): Tending to seep or be damp.
- The ground was seepy after the heavy rains.
Synonyms
- Ooze: To flow or leak out slowly, often implying a thicker consistency.
- Trickle: To flow in a thin, slow stream.
- Percolate: To filter or spread gradually through a porous substance.
- Exude: To discharge or release slowly and steadily, often used for feelings or qualities as well as liquids.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Seep through: To pass through a barrier by seeping.
- The dye seeped through the fabric.
- Seep away: To gradually disappear or be lost.
- His confidence seeped away as the exam continued.
Related Idioms
- Seep into the fabric of (something): To become an integral, often unnoticed, part of something over time.
- Corruption had seeped into the fabric of the institution.
Verb
-
pass gradually or leak through or as if through small openings
