What is leak? Pronunciation and usage in English

leak means . Learn how to pronounce and use leak through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of leak

leakverb

/liːk//liːk/
Definition & pronunciation of leak

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "leak" in English. Here's a breakdown:

The most common and accepted pronunciation is:

  • leek (rhymes with "peek")

    • "le-" is pronounced like "le" as in "leap"
    • "-ak" is pronounced like "eek" as in "seek"

Here's a phonetic breakdown (using the International Phonetic Alphabet - IPA):

/liːk/

  • l: As in "light"
  • ee: As in "see"
  • k: As in "kite"

Tips for getting it right:

  • Focus on the "eek" sound: That's the trickiest part for many people. Keep your tongue high in your mouth, like you're about to say "seek."
  • Short and sharp: The pronunciation is relatively quick and clipped.

Resources to hear the pronunciation:

  • Google: Simply type "how to pronounce leak" into Google and it will often have an audio button.
  • Forvo: https://www.forvo.com/word/leak/ – This website offers pronunciations by native speakers.

Do you want me to:

  • Break down any particular part of the pronunciation?
  • Give you some example sentences using the word "leak"?

Usage and examples with the word leak in English

Let's break down how to use the word "leak" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with several different meanings! Here's a breakdown categorized by its most common uses:

1. As a Verb (Something is leaking):

  • Meaning: To allow something to escape or flow out, usually unintentionally.
  • Examples:
    • "The roof is leaking, so we need to get that fixed." (Water is escaping)
    • "The information leaked to the press before the official announcement." (Secrets were revealed)
    • "The tire was leaking air." (Air was escaping)
    • "The data leak exposed customer information." (Sensitive data was released)

2. As a Noun (The actual escape or something lost):

  • Meaning:
    • A physical escape: A hole or opening through which something flows.
    • A release of information: A secret or confidential information revealed.
    • A small escape of something liquid: (e.g., a leak of oil)
  • Examples:
    • "There was a leak in the dam, causing the river to rise." (Physical hole)
    • “The government is investigating a leak of classified documents.” (Information release)
    • “He noticed a small leak under the car.” (Liquid escape)

3. As a Noun (A person who spreads information):

  • Meaning: A person who reveals confidential information, often illegally or unintentionally. Think of it like a "whisperer" of secrets.
  • Examples:
    • "The journalist was accused of being a leak." (Someone revealing secrets)
    • "The prosecution argued that he was a leak within the company."

4. Figurative Uses:

  • Meaning: A gradual or subtle exposure of something private or sensitive.
  • Examples:
    • "The rumor mill is a constant leak of gossip." (Constant, subtle spread of information)
    • “His personal finances are a constant leak.” (Money is being lost or drained)

Here’s a table summarizing the different meanings:

Part of Speech Meaning Example
Verb To escape or flow out “The pipe is leaking.”
Noun Physical hole or escape “There was a leak in the roof.”
Noun Release of confidential information “The leak of the report caused chaos.”
Noun A person revealing secrets “He was suspected of being a leak.”
Figurative Gradual exposure of something private “His finances were a constant leak.”

Tips for Using "Leak" Correctly:

  • Context is key: The surrounding words will usually make it clear which meaning is intended.
  • Synonyms: Depending on the meaning, you might consider synonyms like “escape,” “release,” “reveal,” “divulge,” “permeate,” or “trickle.”

To help me give you even more targeted information, could you tell me:

  • In what context are you trying to use the word "leak"? (e.g., writing a story, having a conversation, answering a grammar question?)

Synonyms for the word leak

Practice with vocabulary leak

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Despite strict confidentiality agreements, details of the merger negotiations began to ______ to the press, causing stock market volatility.
  2. Investigators discovered a tiny ______ in the gas pipeline, which was the source of the dangerous fumes.
  3. The company plans to ______ its new sustainability initiative at next month's environmental summit.
  4. Without proper insulation, a significant amount of heat will ______ from the building, leading to higher energy bills.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. Despite stringent security protocols, proprietary software code started to ______ onto unauthorized public forums, indicating a severe data breach. a) disseminate b) leak c) emerge d) publicize

  2. The old water heater started to ______ around the base, indicating it might need replacing soon. a) flow b) spill c) drip d) leak

  3. The politician was accused of allowing sensitive information to ______ from his office, potentially compromising national security. a) escape b) issue c) leak d) surge

  4. Before launching the new product, the marketing team meticulously planned how to ______ its unique features to potential customers. a) conceal b) showcase c) disclose d) withhold

  5. During the heavy rain, water started to ______ through the cracks in the old foundation, causing dampness in the basement. a) gush b) seep c) pour d) percolate

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Information about the CEO's resignation prematurely became known to the media before the official announcement.
  2. We need to find the source of the oil that is slowly escaping from the machinery.
  3. The investigative journalist managed to uncover the hidden financial dealings of the corrupt organization.

Answer:

Exercise 1:

  1. leak
  2. leak
  3. unveil
  4. dissipate

Exercise 2:

  1. b) leak, c) emerge
  2. c) drip, d) leak
  3. a) escape, c) leak
  4. b) showcase, c) disclose
  5. b) seep, d) percolate

Exercise 3:

  1. Information about the CEO's resignation leaked to the media before the official announcement.
  2. We need to find the source of the oil leakage from the machinery. (Alternatively: We need to find where the oil is leaking from the machinery.)
  3. The investigative journalist managed to reveal the hidden financial dealings of the corrupt organization.

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