Word
seep
US/ˈsip/
UK/sˈiːp/
Definitions
01liquid flowing slowly
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to flow or leak slowly through small openings or cracks.
v. to pass slowly through pores or small openings, typically describing the movement of liquids or gases.
“Water started to seep through the crack in the basement wall after the storm.”
“Toxic chemicals began to seep into the groundwater from the abandoned industrial site, prompting an immediate environmental investigation.”
Usage
Intransitive; often used with prepositions like 'through', 'into', or 'out of'.
02a place where liquid leaks
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Science Technical
n. a small place where water or oil comes out of the ground slowly.
n. a spot where liquid, such as water or petroleum, oozes to the surface from underground.
“The hikers found a small oil seep near the edge of the rocks.”
“Marine biologists studied the unique ecosystems that thrive around methane seeps on the deep ocean floor.”
Usage
Common in geological or environmental contexts.
Etymology
Variant of sipe, from Middle English sipen, from Old English sipian, from Proto-Germanic sipōną, derivative of sīpaną, from Proto-Indo-European seyb-, *sib- (“to pour out, drip, trickle”). See also Middle Dutch sīpen (“to drip”), German Low German siepern (“to seep”), archaic German seifen (“to trickle blood”); also Latin sēbum (“suet, tallow”), Ancient Greek εἴβω (eíbō, “to drop, drip”)). See soap.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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