ENGLISH
REFERENCE

leaked

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈɫikt// UK //lˈiːkt// leaked

v. to let liquid or gas escape through a hole by accident. It also means to share secret information with the public or the news.

v. to allow liquid or gas to escape through a hole or crack; to intentionally disclose confidential information to the public or media. Transitive when referring to information; often intransitive when referring to physical fluids.


SIMPLE

The pipe leaked water all over the kitchen floor.

CONTEXTUAL

An anonymous source leaked the confidential documents to the press just days before the election.

COMPLEX

While the vessel leaked fuel at an alarming rate, the captain focused on ensuring that the internal reports regarding the mechanical failure were not leaked to the shareholders.

Synonyms
Usage

When used for information, the verb is transitive and takes a direct object. When used for liquids, it can be intransitive or take the leaking substance as an object.

Pitfall

The secret was leaked to the public by an anonymous.The secret was leaked to the public by an anonymous source.Learners often use 'anonymous' as a noun, but it is an adjective that requires a noun like 'source' or 'person'.

© 2026 English Reference