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ooze

noun (1)
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\ ˈüz How to pronounce ooze (audio) \

Definition of ooze

 (Entry 1 of 3)

1 : a soft deposit (as of mud, slime, or shells) on the bottom of a body of water The turtle buried itself in the ooze.
2 : a piece of soft wet plastic ground : a marsh or bog that results from the flow of a spring, stream, or brooklet

ooze

verb
oozed; oozing

Definition of ooze (Entry 2 of 3)

intransitive verb

1 : to pass or flow slowly through or as if through small openings or interstices
2 : to move slowly or imperceptibly the crowd began to ooze forward— Bruce Marshall
3a : to exude moisture
b : to exude something often in a faintly repellent manner ooze with sympathy

transitive verb

1 : to emit slowly
2 : exude sense 2 ooze confidence

ooze

noun (2)

Definition of ooze (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : a decoction of vegetable material used for tanning leather
2 : the act of oozing
3 : something that oozes
Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about ooze

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Examples of ooze in a Sentence

Verb Sap oozed from the tree. Juice oozed out of the plum. The cut on her finger was oozing with blood. The tree was oozing sap. The cut on her finger was oozing blood.
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First Known Use of ooze

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun (2)

1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for ooze

Noun (1)

Middle English wose, from Old English wāse mire; akin to Old Norse veisa stagnant water

Verb

Middle English wosen, from wose sap

Noun (2)

Middle English wose sap, juice, from Old English wōs; akin to Old High German waso damp

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Time Traveler for ooze

Time Traveler

The first known use of ooze was before the 12th century

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Cite this Entry

“Ooze.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ooze. Accessed 16 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for ooze

ooze

verb

English Language Learners Definition of ooze

: to flow out slowly
: to have (something) flow out slowly
: to show (a quality, emotion, etc.) very clearly or strongly

See the full definition for ooze in the English Language Learners Dictionary

ooze

noun
\ ˈüz How to pronounce ooze (audio) \

Kids Definition of ooze

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: soft mud : slime

ooze

verb
oozed; oozing

Kids Definition of ooze (Entry 2 of 2)

: to flow or leak out slowly

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More from Merriam-Webster on ooze

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for ooze

Nglish: Translation of ooze for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of ooze for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ooze

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