leaky

play

adjective \ˈlē-kē\

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

A Sears spokesman confirmed to Business Insider that some stores had sustained leaky ceilings but denied accounts of a rat infestation.

— alana abramson, Fortune, "Some Sears and Kmart Stores Are Reportedly Falling Apart", 2 July 2017
And the fact he was promoted despite such leaky numbers?

— dave hyde, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Hyde: The Tebow Effect — no hit, all sales — hits Port St. Lucie | Commentary", 27 June 2017
In their view, the elites, with help from their leaky minions embedded throughout the government, have turned on the new President to protect their own power.

— david von drehle, Time, "Will Robert Mueller Separate Fact From Fiction?", 22 June 2017
Sick of asking your partner to fix the drywall, mow the lawn, fix the leaky sink, take out the garbage, unload the dishwasher, or clean the kitchen?

— carly breit, Country Living, "You Can Now Rent a "Husband" or "Wife" to Handle of Your Household Chores", 19 June 2017
The cause of the sinkhole had not been determined, but a leaky drainpipe under the pavement might be responsible, Wonder said.

— kim christensen, latimes.com, "A 10-foot-deep sinkhole closes stretch of Angeles Crest Highway", 9 June 2017
The ability to hold more water in the lake year-round is reduced because of safety concerns about the leaky, erosion-prone dike relied on to protect South Florida from lake flooding.

— andy reid, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Lake Okeechobee water level drop worsens South Florida drought woes", 31 May 2017
One revelation was that having a leaky faucet or leaving lights on bothered people more than throwing away food did.

— jennifer mcclellan, USA TODAY, "Americans waste food because we're confused — and because we can", 30 May 2017
The fatal oil tank battery fire in northern Colorado appears to be unrelated to a nearby home explosion last month caused by a leaky gas line.

— Washington Post, "Colorado oil tank blast kills worker, spurs safety questions", 26 May 2017

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

LEAKY Defined for English Language Learners

leaky

play

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

play

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

play

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