ooze

[ ooz ]

/ uz /

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See synonyms for: ooze / oozed / oozing on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object), oozed, ooz·ing.

(of moisture, liquid, etc.) to flow, percolate, or exude slowly, as through holes or small openings.

to move or pass slowly or gradually, as if through a small opening or passage: The crowd oozed toward the entrance.

(of a substance) to exude moisture.

(of something abstract, as information or courage) to appear or disappear slowly or imperceptibly (often followed by out or away): His cockiness oozed away during my rebuttal speech.

to display some characteristic or quality: to ooze with piety.

verb (used with object), oozed, ooz·ing.

to make by oozing.

to exude (moisture, air, etc.) slowly.

to display or dispense freely and conspicuously: He can ooze charm when it serves his interest.

noun

the act of oozing.

something that oozes.

an infusion of oak bark, sumac, etc., used in tanning.

OTHER WORDS FOR ooze

10 slime, mire, mud, muck, sludge.

See synonyms for ooze on Thesaurus.com

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of ooze

First recorded before 1000; Middle English noun wose, woze, Old English wōs “juice, moisture”; verb derivative of the noun

Other definitions for ooze (2 of 2)

ooze²

[ ooz ]

/ uz /

noun

Geology. a calcareous or siliceous mud composed chiefly of the shells of one-celled organisms, covering parts of the ocean bottom.

soft mud, or slime.

a marsh or bog.

Origin of ooze

First recorded before 900; Middle English wose, woze, Old English wāse “mud, slime”

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use ooze in a sentence

If you stick the unwrapped chocolate candy onto the tip of the stick before you slide the toasted marshmallow off, it will end up inside the hot marshmallow and melt just enough to let some of the caramel ooze out.
Have s’more fun with pretzels, caramel, toasted coconut and cookies|Daniela Galarza|January 12, 2021|Washington Post
Vandals have defaced them with red paint splotches that look like bullet holes oozing with blood.
Defying NATO, Ignoring Ceasefire, Russian-Backed Troops Keep Rolling|Ted Phillips|September 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Barbie has always been most reviled for her unattainable beauty and oozing sexuality.
Happy Bday Barbie! You're Over|Brandy Zadrozny|March 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And Kendrick, oozing charm, turns a prolonged cameo into a very agreeable supporting turn.
Anna Kendrick: Queen Bee of the 2014 Sundance Film Festival|Marlow Stern|January 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Patina Miller in Pippin is the polar opposite of a princess—hard-edged and icy, wearing black pants and boots, oozing power.
Who’ll Win a 2013 Tony Award—and Who Deserves To|Janice Kaplan|June 6, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The volunteers, as usual, are an eclectic mix: mostly women, all ages, oozing enthusiasm.
Obamas Deck the White House Halls|Robin Givhan|November 28, 2012|DAILY BEAST
His face is ashen gray; the black beard is streaked with red, and blood is oozing from his neck.
Prison Memoirs of an Anarchist|Alexander Berkman
He read the document again, and felt the perspiration oozing out of every pore.
The Cromptons|Mary J. Holmes
There, sure enough, was a tiny red spot, with a single drop of blood oozing from it.
Two Boys in Wyoming|Edward S. Ellis
The shot had seriously weakened the bear, and his mighty strength was fast oozing away.
Two Boys in Wyoming|Edward S. Ellis
Sarah's courage, as may be seen, was oozing away with all Naomi's warnings.
Sarah's School Friend|May Baldwin

British Dictionary definitions for ooze (1 of 2)

ooze¹

/ (uːz) /

verb

(intr) to flow or leak out slowly, as through pores or very small holes

to exude or emit (moisture, gas, etc)

(tr) to overflow withto ooze charm

(intr often foll by away) to disappear or escape gradually

noun

a slow flowing or leaking

an infusion of vegetable matter, such as sumach or oak bark, used in tanning

Word Origin for ooze

Old English wōs juice

British Dictionary definitions for ooze (2 of 2)

ooze²

/ (uːz) /

noun

a soft thin mud found at the bottom of lakes and rivers

a fine-grained calcareous or siliceous marine deposit consisting of the hard parts of planktonic organisms

muddy ground, esp of bogs

Word Origin for ooze

Old English wāse mud; related to Old French wāse, Old Norse veisa

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

ooze

OTHER WORDS FOR ooze

Origin of ooze

Other definitions for ooze (2 of 2)

Origin of ooze

Words related to ooze

How to use ooze in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for ooze (1 of 2)

Word Origin for ooze

British Dictionary definitions for ooze (2 of 2)

Word Origin for ooze