seep

IPA/siːp/
KK[sˈip]IPA/siːp/

seep — verb

  • seeppresent simple I / you / we / they
  • seepshe / she / it
  • seepedpast simple
  • seeping-ing form

1. When a liquid moves at an extremely slow pace through tiny holes, cracks, or por

1.verbintransitiveB2
Definition

When a liquid moves at an extremely slow pace through tiny holes, cracks, or pores in a solid surface, or when a smaller amount of liquid escapes from a container or body through a very small opening.

Example

Rainwater *seeped* through the cracks in the old stone wall, leaving damp patches on the floor.

seep + through [porous material]

Thick black oil *seeped* from the damaged engine and spread slowly across the garage floor.

seep + from [leaking source]

Common collocations
  • seep through
  • seep into
  • seep from
  • seep out of
  • water seeps
  • oil seeps
  • blood seeps
  • slowly seep
  • gradually seep
Synonyms
  • ooze

    suggests a thicker, stickier liquid moving even more slowly

  • trickle

    implies a thin but visible flow, often faster than seeping

  • leak

    refers to liquid escaping through a hole, usually faster and more noticeable

Antonyms
  • gush

    liquid comes out forcefully and in large amounts

  • pour

    liquid flows freely and in quantity

Grammar Patterns

seep + through [material]

seep + into [container/space]

seep + from [source]

Usage Note

Often followed by a preposition describing the path (through, into) or the origin (from, out of) of the liquid. Can also be used figuratively for abstract things such as smells, light, sounds, or ideas that spread or enter gradually.

Common Mistakes

Water started to seep the wall.
Water started to seep through the wall.
'seep' is intransitive and needs a preposition to show the path.
The bucket seeped water all over the floor.
Water seeped from the bucket all over the floor.
The container does not seep; the liquid does.

seep — noun

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All three words describe liquid moving through an opening, but they differ in speed, visibility, and the type of liquid. 'Seep' is the slowest — the movement is barely visible and happens through tiny pores or cracks; a liquid seeps through a wall or into soil. 'Ooze' is similar but strongly suggests a thick, sticky liquid like mud or resin moving sluggishly. 'Trickle' means a thin but visible stream of liquid, like water running down a rock face. 'Leak' implies a definite hole or tear and a more noticeable escape, often with waste or damage involved. For example, you would say a pipe 'leaks' water, groundwater 'seeps' into a basement, honey 'oozes' from a jar, and rain 'trickles' down a windowpane.

ooze ↗trickle ↗leak ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • seep through the cracks
  • seep into the ground
  • seep from a wound
  • seep out of a container

Prepositions

Etymology

Proto-Indo-EuropeanProto-GermanicOld EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'seep' comes from Old English 'sīpian', meaning 'to soak or ooze'. It is related to similar words in other Germanic languages, such as Middle Dutch 'sīpen' and Old High German 'sīfan', all of which go back to an ancient root meaning 'to pour out' or 'to drip'. The noun form developed later, first recorded in the early 1800s, from the verb.