seep

¹seep

verb \ˈsēp\

Definition of SEEP

intransitive verb

1

: to flow or pass slowly through fine pores or small openings : ooze <water seeped in through a crack>

2

a : to enter or penetrate slowly <fear of nuclear war had seeped into the national consciousness — Tip O'Neill> b : to become diffused or spread <a sadness seeped through his being — Agnes S. Turnbull>

Examples of SEEP

1. Blood was seeping through the bandage.
2. The chemicals seeped into the ground.

Origin of SEEP

alteration of earlier sipe, from Middle English sipen, from Old English sipian; akin to Middle Low German sipen to seep

First Known Use: 1790

Related to SEEP

Synonyms: bleed, ooze, percolate, exude, strain, sweat, transude, weep

Related Words: dribble, drip, trickle; discharge, emit, give off, vent; emanate, flow, spring

Near Antonyms: flood, gush, pour, stream, surge

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Rhymes with SEEP

beep, bleep, cheap, cheep, creep, deep, heap, jeep, Jeep, keep, leap, neap, neep, peep, reap, sheep, sleep, steep, sweep, threap, veep, weep