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

Class issues that reached beyond this nebulous framework began to seep into political discourse.

From Salon

They can take different forms - including powder and gas - but tend to be a liquid, which can seep through the skin.

From BBC

She thought her house would be safe, but ultimately she had to be rescued when a deluge of water began to seep through her walls.

From BBC

Chemicals can also wash into waterways and seep into the ground, contaminating groundwater and wells.

From Salon

Although lower interest rates will ultimately help with many transactions such as credit card charges and home purchases, analysts warn that it may take months for these benefits to seep down to consumers because many of the transactions associated with interest rates take time to occur and filter through the economy.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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