leaky

[lee-kee]

adjective

leakier, leakiest 

1. allowing liquid, gas, etc., to enter or escape.

   a leaky boat; a leaky container.

2. Informal.,  unreliable.

   a leaky memory; a leaky tongue.

leaky

/ ˈliːkɪ /

adjective

1. leaking or tending to leak

Other Word Forms

• leakiness noun
• unleaky adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of leaky¹

First recorded in 1600–10; leak + -y ¹

Example Sentences

Like the kids, their leather is leaky, their arms are toast, their best hitter is their best pitcher, their silly celebrations are pure playground — shimmy shakes and sunflower seed showers.

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But as an observer once described it, we’ve been managing rather than solving the crisis and essentially bailing a leaky boat with a teaspoon.

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A new ombudsman will tackle leaky pipes, incorrect bills and other issues people have with water companies, the government has annnounced.

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He also complained of poor repair work, which he said left him with a leaky roof and damage to his roof terraces.

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This can cause mild symptoms such as an itchy heat rash or swollen feet, as blood vessels become leaky.

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Related Words

• broken 
• cracked 
• faulty