Meaning & use
seeped
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“seeped” is a form of “seep”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbintransitive
flowed or spread slowly through small openings or a surface.
Grammar: Used without an object; often followed by a preposition like into, through, or out of.
Patterns
- seeped into something
- seeped through something
- seeped out of something
Rainwater seeped through the cracks in the old roof.
The tea seeped into the biscuit, making it soft.
A little oil seeped out of the engine onto the driveway.
verbintransitivefigurative
(of information, a feeling, etc.) gradually became known or felt by people.
Grammar: Usually used with into or through; the subject is often an abstract thing like news, doubt, or anger.
Patterns
- seeped into something
- seeped through something
News of the scandal slowly seeped into the public consciousness.
A sense of unease seeped through the crowd as they waited.
Doubt had seeped into his mind after weeks of silence.
Word forms
| base form | seep |
|---|---|
| third person singular | seeps |
| past tense | seeped |
| past participle | seeped |
| -ing form | seeping |
Common combinations
- seep through
- Muddy water seeped through the fabric of the tent.
- seep into
- Chemicals from the factory had seeped into the soil.
- seep out of
- Smoke seeped out of the chimney.
- slowly seep
- The truth slowly seeped out over several months.
Synonyms and how they differ
- ooze
- Ooze suggests a thicker, slower flow than seep, often of a thick liquid like mud or pus.
- trickle
- Trickle means flow in a thin stream, often down a surface, while seep focuses on passing through a material.
- leak
- Leak often implies an unwanted hole or escape, while seep can be a natural, gradual process.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: seeped or seep? seeped or seep?
seeped vs seep
Seep is the base form; seeped is the past tense. Do not confuse with 'seep' when talking about the present.
seeped vs seep
Not to be confused with 'seep' (a small spring or damp patch), which is a noun.
Practice
Complete the sentence: 'The coffee ______ through the paper filter and into the cup.'
Choose one answer.
The sentence describes a completed action in the past, so the past tense 'seeped' is correct. 'Seeps' is present tense, 'seeping' needs an auxiliary verb, and 'seep' is the base form that does not fit the past time reference.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “seeped”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.