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

Sort through the berries and get rid of any that look unripe, soft, cracked, red, or leaky. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 16 July 2026

Remove Water Sources Get rid of any water sources, including leaky hoses and pet water bowls. — Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 11 July 2026

This includes repairing leaky roofs, providing clean drinking water and improving security infrastructure at each of its campuses. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2026

Maintenance workers might turn off a leaky pipef but not replace it. — Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 9 July 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