Refine this word faster

Stronger alternatives Opposite tone Use in context Cross-language nuance

Leaky

//ˈliːki// adj

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    Having leaks; not fully sealed.

    "The leaky bucket dripped only one drop at a time, but by the time I got back to the house it was half empty."

  2. 2
    Tending to leak secrets or information.

    "The spooks' argument against this is that the secret service would become leaky and demoralised […]"

Adjective
  1. 1
    prone to communicate confidential information wordnet
  2. 2
    used informally; unable to retain urine wordnet
  3. 3
    permitting the unwanted passage of fluids or gases wordnet

Etymology

Likely a normalisation ( + -y) of earlier leak, leake, leke (“leaky”, adjective), from Middle English leke (“leaky”), from Old English hlec, *lec (“having cracks or rents; leaky”), from Proto-Germanic *lekaz (“leaking; leaky”). By surface analysis, leak + -y. Cognate with Scots lek, leck (“leaky”), Saterland Frisian läk (“leaky”), Dutch lek (“leaky”), German Low German leck (“leaky”), German leck (“leaky”), Swedish läck (“leaky”), Icelandic lekur (“leaky”).

See also for "leaky"

Synonyms Antonyms Rhymes Sentences Translate Word Type Pronunciation Word Forms

Next best steps

Find stronger synonymsSee usage examplesCheck pronunciation

Mini challenge

Unscramble this word: leaky