seep

American  

[seep] / sip /

verb (used without object)

1. to pass, flow, or ooze gradually through a porous substance.

   Water seeps through cracks in the wall.

2. (of ideas, methods, etc.) to enter or be introduced at a slow pace.

   The new ideas finally seeped down to the lower echelons.

3. to become diffused; permeate.

   Fog seeped through the trees, obliterating everything.

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verb (used with object)

1. to cause to seep; filter.

   The vodka is seeped through charcoal to purify it.

noun

1. moisture that seeps out; seepage.

2. a small spring, pool, or other place where liquid from the ground has oozed to the surface of the earth.

seep British  

/ siːp /

verb

1. (intr) to pass gradually or leak through or as if through small openings; ooze

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noun

1. a small spring or place where water, oil, etc, has oozed through the ground

2. another word for seepage

Etymology

Origin of seep

1780–90; perhaps variant of dial. sipe, itself perhaps continuing Old English sīpian (cognate with Middle Low German sīpen )

Example Sentences

Rising costs for fertilizer, feed, packaging and shipping are going to seep into the prices that people see on grocery shelves, experts say.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 21, 2026

His manic states started to seep into his work.

From Slate • Feb. 2, 2026

But Rybakina broke back two games later as the unforced errors began to seep in for Sabalenka, who allowed her emotions to get the better of her in last year's Grand Slam final losses.

From BBC • Jan. 31, 2026

The once-mighty U.S. dollar was having another turbulent day earlier on Thursday, and the impact of its lasting weakness against major rivals appeared to seep into the $30 trillion Treasury market.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 30, 2026

I can feel the wind seep through the glass and penetrate my shirt.

From "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson

Related Words

• bleed
• drain
• flow
• ooze
• percolate
• permeate
• soak
• trickle