leakA leak is a problem. A hole or a crack suddenly appears in a closed system, thereby releasing air or some kind of liquid. Pipes, tires, engines, hoses, and balloons are all known to develop leaks. In these examples, the word "leak" is a noun: - A leak in the engine produced a small puddle of oil underneath the car.
- Because the balloon had a small leak, it gradually released all of its air.
- There’s a leak in a pipe above the ceiling.
In these sentences, "leak" is a verb: - My car is leaking oil.
- The pipe that leads to the kitchen sink leaks.
- Enough helium leaked out of the balloon so that it wouldn’t float any longer.
- Water leaked into the basement after a big storm.
The word "leaky" is an adjective: - Leaky pipes in the ceiling caused a big mess for the people in the downstairs apartment.
- I’ve got a leaky faucet.
- A leaky pipeline can wreak havoc in the environment.
It’s also possible to use the word "leak" when describing information given to newspaper reporters and other members of the press. - A government official leaked information to the press.
- After someone in the company intentionally leaked pictures of the new phone, they went viral.
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