Word
leaking
Phoneticsleak·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɫikɪŋ/
UK/lˈiːkɪŋ/
Definitions
01escaping liquid or gas
B1 · Intermediate
v. letting a liquid or gas escape through a hole or crack.
v. the process of a fluid or gas escaping from a container or conduit through an unintended opening.
“The kitchen ceiling is leaking because of a broken pipe upstairs.”
“Engineers identified a leaking valve in the cooling system, which had been causing a gradual drop in pressure over several weeks.”
Usage
Often used in the continuous form to describe an ongoing problem.
02sharing secrets
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. giving secret information to the public or the media.
v. the unauthorised disclosure of confidential or sensitive information to the public or press.
“Someone is leaking the company's private plans to the newspapers.”
“The administration launched an internal investigation to determine who was leaking classified documents to the international media.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03the act of escaping
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the act of something escaping through a hole.
n. the occurrence or instance of a substance or information escaping from its intended containment.
“The constant leaking of the tap kept me awake all night.”
“The sudden leaking of the chemical tank forced an immediate evacuation of the surrounding industrial park.”
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/leaking