leaky

1 of 2

adjective

ˈlē-kē 

leakier; leakiest

: permitting fluid to leak in or out

leakily

ˈlē-kə-lē 

adverb

leakiness

ˈlē-kē-nəs 

noun

leakiness

2 of 2

noun

leak·​i·​ness -kēnə̇s 

-kin-

plural -es

: the condition of being leaky

Examples of leaky in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

One crucial problem was that wealth taxes tended to have loopholes that allowed the rich to shelter their assets, making these taxes a leaky bucket. — Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 2 Nov. 2026

Detroit also gets safety Brian Branch back, which helps a secondary that’s been leaky. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 Nov. 2026

Here are your weekly frightful violations at Kansas City-area restaurants — from leaky sinks to food kept in refrigerators longer than the health code says. — Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 30 Oct. 2026

Higgins has been pushing for the referendum to pass, having previously told the editorial board that some facilities have leaky roofs, mold, rust, sinkholes and other health and safety hazards. — Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

leak entry 1 or leak entry 2 + -y entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for leaky

• cheeky
• creaky
• freaky
• kiki
• sneaky
• squeaky
• streaky

Kids Definition

leaky

adjective

ˈlē-kē 

leakier; leakiest

: permitting fluid to leak in or out

a leaky boat

leakiness noun

Medical Definition

leaky

adjective

ˈlē-kē 

: relating to or being a mutant gene that changes the structure of the protein and especially an enzyme that it determines so that some but not all of its biological activity is lost

also : being such a protein with subnormal activity