seep

Everyday

1. When a liquid seeps, it flows slowly through small holes or cracks, a little at a time. tree →
2. When a feeling or an idea seeps in, it slowly spreads into someone's mind. tree →
3. Light, cold or smell can seep in through a gap, coming in slowly. tree →

In the lessons

In science, water seeps through soil, sand and rock; this is how rain gets underground and how wells fill. In everyday life, water seeps under a door in a storm or ink seeps through paper. Phrases: «seep in», «seep through», «seep out», «seep into».

Examples

• Rainwater seeps into the ground and becomes groundwater. tree →
• Water seeped under the door during the storm. tree →
• The juice seeped through the paper bag. tree →
• Cold air seeped in through the cracked window. tree →
• Ink seeped through the page and spoiled the next one. tree →
• Slowly the truth seeped into his mind: he had lost the key. tree →
• Oil seeped out of the old car onto the driveway. tree →
• Sand lets water seep through faster than clay does. tree →

Note

Regular verb: past «seeped». Seep is slow and gentle; a gush or a pour is fast. Do not confuse seep with «sweep» (use a broom) or «steep» (very sloping). In science, water seeps faster through sand than clay because sand has bigger gaps.