seep

[seep]

verb (used without object)

1. to pass, flow, or ooze gradually through a porous substance.

   Water seeps through cracks in the wall.

2. (of ideas, methods, etc.) to enter or be introduced at a slow pace.

   The new ideas finally seeped down to the lower echelons.

3. to become diffused; permeate.

   Fog seeped through the trees, obliterating everything.

verb (used with object)

1. to cause to seep; filter.

   The vodka is seeped through charcoal to purify it.

noun

1. moisture that seeps out; seepage.

2. a small spring, pool, or other place where liquid from the ground has oozed to the surface of the earth.

seep

/ siːp /

verb

1. (intr) to pass gradually or leak through or as if through small openings; ooze

noun

1. a small spring or place where water, oil, etc, has oozed through the ground

2. another word for seepage

Word History and Origins

Origin of seep¹

1780–90; perhaps variant of dial. sipe, itself perhaps continuing Old English sīpian (cognate with Middle Low German sīpen )

Word History and Origins

Origin of seep¹

Old English sīpian; related to Middle High German sīfen, Swedish dialect sipa

Example Sentences

In Doral, where many Venezuelan residents have friends or family who have been deported, the fear of being detained and sent back has seeped into everyday life and hurt the economy.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Yes, I banged my head on the upper bunk more than a few times, the temperature in the room fluctuated despite my settings and light seeped in even with the curtains velcroed shut.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Hydrothermal vents and methane seeps typically appear in separate locations on the seafloor.

Read more on Science Daily

But their all-pervading architectural shadow over the city is perhaps why Art Deco is "seeped into the larger public imagination, and remains relevant in Mumbai's emotional quotient", Mr Kumar added.

Read more on BBC

Kansas City Fed President Jeff Schmid said Friday that inflation isn’t only above a longstanding 2% target, but is also seeping into electric bills, healthcare costs and other areas not directly affected by tariffs.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• bleed 
• drain 
• flow 
• ooze 
• percolate 
• permeate 
• soak 
• trickle