leaky
Americanadjective
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allowing liquid, gas, etc., to enter or escape.
a leaky boat; a leaky container.
-
Informal. unreliable.
a leaky memory; a leaky tongue.
adjective
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Adjectives
Etymology
Origin of leaky
Explanation
Leaky things accidentally allow water (or gas) to pass through them. A leaky bucket is a bad thing, and a leaky diaper is even worse. A leaky hose lets water squirt out at different points, and a leaky helium balloon plummets to the ground, deflating as it falls. You can also talk about a leaky government, or a leaky newsroom — in other words, a group or a person guilty of exposing information that's meant to be kept secret or confidential. This kind of leak is a "deliberate disclosure of information," and it dates from the 1950s.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Seal up air leaks: Inexpensive weatherstripping and caulking around leaky doors and windows stop hot air from seeping in and forcing your AC to run longer.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 29, 2026
This frees Lodge Quai from having to fix a leaky factory roof in, say, Düsseldorf, and it allows the local company not only to optimize its expenses, but more importantly redeploy its locked-up capital.
From Barron's • Jun. 25, 2026
Globally, though, the oil market is like a leaky bucket that’s having some water poured in at the top.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026
Abi Burton's impressive form was rewarded with a second-half try as John Mitchell's England, despite continuing to look leaky in defence, always appeared to be in complete control.
From BBC • May 9, 2026
“You’re a good girl, Rosemary,” I say, taking the tissue and staunching my leaky nose.
From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
