seep

1 of 2

verb

ˈsēp 

seeped; seeping; seeps

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

seep

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: a spot where a fluid (such as water, oil, or gas) contained in the ground oozes slowly to the surface and often forms a pool

b

: a small spring

2

: seepage

seepy

ˈsē-pē 

adjective

Synonyms

Verb

• bleed
• exude
• ooze
• percolate
• strain
• sweat
• transude
• weep

Examples of seep in a Sentence

Verb

Blood was seeping through the bandage.

The chemicals seeped into the ground.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The seams are sealed so not a single drop of moisture seeps through, and five zippered pockets keep your essentials dry. —Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 9 Feb. 2025

Growing problem in West Texas requires complex solution In arid West Texas, water seeps and bubbles from old wells, sometimes carrying oil, brackish water or other pollutants to the surface. —Alejandra Martinez The Texas Tribune, arkansasonline.com, 9 Feb. 2025

Noun

By protecting the seafloor, scientists suggest that more cold seep environments could start to see the growth of biodiversity. —Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 28 Jan. 2025

In the depths of the ocean where the Earth’s crust meets the freezing water, chemicals leak into the seawater through cracks and fissures called cold seeps. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 3 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

1790, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1824, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

seep

verb

ˈsēp

: to flow or pass slowly through small openings : ooze