What does leakiest mean?
“Leakiest” is the superlative of “leaky,” describing the person or thing that leaks more than all the others being considered. It most commonly refers to a pipe, roof, container, joint, or appliance that allows liquid or gas to escape. The word can also be used metaphorically for a person or organization that frequently discloses information, as in “the leakiest source in government.” Its tone is generally neutral but often carries a faintly humorous or critical edge, especially when describing an obviously faulty building or appliance. Because it already compares one thing with others, it normally appears in a definite context: the leakest roof, the leakiest pipe, or the leakiest of the candidates. In more formal writing, “most prone to leaking” or “most likely to leak” may sometimes sound smoother, but “leakiest” is both concise and idiomatic.
adjectiveHaving the greatest tendency to leak; leaking more than others of the same kind.
- Most likely to leak or admitting fluid or gas more readily than comparable things
- Most likely to disclose information or reveal secrets
"The old pipe was the leakiest part of the entire system."
"After the storm, the upstairs bathroom had the leakiest roof in the neighborhood."
"As a political reporter, she had a reputation for being one of the leakiest sources in the capital."
“Leakiest” turns the familiar complaint “this is leaking” into an emphatic superlative—and it works metaphorically too.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of leakiest
“Leakiest” derives from the English adjective “leaky,” whose root comes from Middle English “leken,” ultimately from Old Norse “leka,” a Germanic verb meaning “to leak.” English developed several derivatives from this root, including “leak,” “leaky,” and “leakage.” The regular comparative and superlative forms “leakier” and “leakiest” later became established by replacing the base form’s final syllable according to English inflectional patterns.
Related word forms
How leakiest is actually used
This is a standard English superlative formed from “leaky.” It is usually attributive or predicative and has a mildly figurative use for people, organizations, or sources that tend to reveal information.
Easily confused with leakiest
“Leaky” means capable of leaking in general, whereas “leakiest” identifies whichever of several things leaks the most.
“Leakier” is the comparative form, meaning more leaky, while “leakiest” is the superlative, meaning most leaky.