What does leaking mean?
Leaking describes something that is allowing a substance or information to escape. It is most often used for a pipe, faucet, roof, battery, or container from which liquid or gas is escaping, and it can suggest an ongoing problem that wastes resources or causes damage. The word also has an important figurative use: an organization, employee, or document may be “leaking” information when confidential details are being disclosed, often without permission. In this sense, leaking can carry negative connotations because it suggests breaches of trust, secrecy, or security. Although “leak” is the standard dictionary headword, “leaking” is frequently used independently as an adjective, especially in phrases such as “a leaking pipe” and “leaking information.” It is understood in both British and American English.
Allowing a liquid, gas, or other substance to escape, or allowing confidential information to become known.
"They hired a plumber to repair the leaking radiator."
The figurative adjective is common in journalism and formal discussion of security and confidentiality.
The present participle of “leak,” used to describe the continuous or habitual escape of a substance or information.
"Oil was leaking from the damaged tanker into the sea."
In formal writing, it may be preferable to use “leak” with a specific tense when the event has a defined time or completed result.
A leaking tap wastes water quietly, but a leaking secret can change history in an afternoon.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does leaking come from?
“Leaking” is formed from the verb “leak” with the present-participle ending “-ing.” “Leak” comes through Middle English from an Old English word associated with water or moisture escaping, and it has relatives in several Germanic languages. The modern figurative sense of revealing secret information developed by analogy with a physical fluid escaping from a container.
Related word forms
How leaking is actually used
The adjective is common in both formal and informal contexts. The information sense is especially common in journalism and discussion of confidentiality, where it can imply unauthorized disclosure.
Easily confused with leaking
“Leaking” describes a continuing or repeated escape, whereas “leaked” usually reports a completed event, as in “the report leaked yesterday.”