leaky

adjective \ ˈlē-kē \

|Updated on: 11 Jun 2018

Definition of leaky

leakier; leakiest

: permitting fluid to leak in or out

—

leakily

play \ˈlē-kə-lē\ adverb

—

leakiness

play \ˈlē-kē-nəs\ noun

See leaky defined for English-language learners

See leaky defined for kids

Recent Examples of leaky from the Web

Water from the leaky roof has been dripping into the bucket for the past week.

— chicago tribune, chicagotribune.com, "Algren Award finalist: "The Sweeper of Hair" by Karin Lin-Greenberg," 2 June 2018
This type of design doesn’t use seams, meaning you won’t be left stranded in a rain storm with a leaky roof.

— megan barber, Curbed, "Go-anywhere luxury camper can stay off the grid for weeks," 31 May 2018
The signing of Sokratis would represent an attempt to shore up Arsenal's notoriously leaky back line, the side's defensive frailties having been the subject of criticism for the past few seasons.

— SI.com, "Arsenal on Verge of First Post-Wenger Signing With £17m Swoop for Dortmund Defender," 20 May 2018
Now a Fremont house that’s condemned due to a leaky roof and mildew just sold for $1.23 million, $230,000 over the asking price.

— San Francisco Chronicle, "Two Bay Area houses underline the housing crisis," 20 Apr. 2018
The school also has a leaky roof and poor lighting, officials say.

— scott travis, Sun-Sentinel.com, "FAU receives $1 million for science programs, upgrades at K-12 schools," 17 Apr. 2018
The fund pays for upkeep of buildings such as new boilers, repairing leaky roofs and replacing elevator parts.

— mara gay, WSJ, "Washington Cracks Down on New York Housing Authority," 30 Mar. 2018
Now, no one’s washing their car, or hosing down sidewalks — and there are fewer leaky pipes.

— rachel becker, The Verge, "Today wasn’t Day Zero in Cape Town, but the water crisis isn’t over," 11 May 2018
Los Angeles Times George Deukmejian, a perennially popular two-term Republican governor of California who built his career on fighting crime, hardening the state's criminal-justice stance and shoring up its leaky finances, died Tuesday.

— shelby grad, latimes.com, "Essential California: Who will be L.A.'s next police chief?," 9 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'leaky.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of leaky

15th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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LEAKY Defined for English Language Learners

leaky

adjective

Definition of leaky for English Language Learners

: having a hole that allows something (such as a liquid or gas) to pass in or out : having a leak

LEAKY Defined for Kids

leaky

adjective \ ˈlē-kē \

Definition of leaky for Students

leakier; leakiest

: letting fluid in or out through a crack or hole

a leaky roof

Medical Dictionary

leaky

adjective \ ˈlē-kē \

medical Definition of leaky

: 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