Leak Meaning and Definition
Leak
Pronunciation
/liːk/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A passage of fluid, gas, or liquid through an opening or container; a leak in a system or structure.
Examples
- The roof had a leak that was causing water to seep into the attic.
- The company had a leak of sensitive information in their database.
Synonyms
- Breccia
- Fissure
Antonyms
- Seal
- Closure
Etymology
The word “leak” has its roots in Old Norse, where it is found as “leik”, meaning “opening” or “passage”. It has been used in English since the 13th century to describe a breach in a container or system.
Usage Notes
Leak is often used as a noun or verb to describe the act of escaping or being released from a contained space or system. It is commonly used in everyday language to describe a range of situations, from a minor issue to a major disaster.
Cultural References
Leak has appeared in numerous cultural references, including films, literature, and music. One notable example is the phrase “classified leak”, which has been used to describe the unauthorized release of sensitive or classified information.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
Leak has been incorporated into several idiomatic expressions, including “leak like a sieve” (to allow something to escape), “leak to the press” (to release sensitive information to the media), and “leak to the public” (to release information to the general public).
Related Words or Phrases
Leak is closely related to other words such as “seam”, “fissure”, and “breach”, which all describe openings or weaknesses in a container or system.
Collocations
Leak is often collocated with words such as “water”, “gas”, “oil”, and “air” to describe the type of fluid or substance escaping through an opening.
Frequency of Use
Leak is a common word in modern language, with over 100 million recorded uses in the past year alone. It is often used in everyday conversation and has become a staple of modern communication.
Common Misspellings
Some common misspellings of leak include “leek”, “lique”, and “leek”. This may be due to the word’s similarity in spelling to other words, such as “week” or “yolk”, which can cause confusion for some writers.