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Ooze Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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ooze

[uːz ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

liquid

Soft, watery mud or slime, especially at the bottom of a lake or river.

Synonyms

muck, mud, slime.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
ooze

Refers to a thick, sticky liquid that flows slowly. Often used to describe something unpleasant or slimy seeping out from a place.

  • The wound started to ooze blood.
  • Green slime was oozing from the pipe.
mud

Refers to wet, soft earth. It's typically used to describe dirt mixed with water, often found outdoors.

  • The children loved to play in the mud after it rained.
  • Her shoes got stuck in the deep mud.
slime

Indicates a thick, slippery substance, which can be natural (like algae) or artificial (like toy slime). It often has an unpleasant or creepy feel to it.

  • The rock was covered in green slime.
  • He slipped on a patch of slime on the floor.
muck

Describes a dirty or messy substance, often a mix of mud, dirt, and other materials. It usually has a negative connotation.

  • His boots were covered in muck after walking through the fields.
  • The child's hands were sticky with some sort of muck.

Examples of usage

  • The ooze at the bottom of the pond was thick and sticky.
  • The diver got stuck in the ooze while exploring the riverbed.
Context #2 | Verb

flow slowly

To flow or leak out slowly, as if in drops or small quantities.

Synonyms

drip, seep, trickle.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
ooze

Use 'ooze' when a fluid is slowly coming out from something, especially in a thick or sticky way. It often has a slightly unpleasant connotation.

  • The wound started to ooze blood.
  • The tree was oozing sap from its trunk.
seep

Use 'seep' when a liquid slowly passes through small openings or spreads gradually. It often suggests movement through a solid material.

  • Oil began to seep through the cracks.
  • Water was seeping into the basement.
trickle

Use 'trickle' when a small flow of liquid moves slowly and in a thin stream. It can also describe the gradual flow of people or other things.

  • A small stream trickled down the hill.
  • People trickled into the stadium.
drip

Use 'drip' when a liquid falls in small drops. It typically refers to a slow, steady process with single drops falling.

  • Water dripped from the faucet.
  • Rain was dripping from the roof.

Examples of usage

  • The water began to ooze out of the crack in the wall.
  • The wound started to ooze blood.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'ooze'

The word 'ooze' originated in Middle English from the Old English term 'wōs', meaning juice or sap. It has been used historically to describe various forms of liquid or semi-liquid substances, often with a connotation of thickness or stickiness. Over time, 'ooze' has become commonly associated with soft, watery mud or slime found in natural environments such as lakes, rivers, and marshes.

See also: oozing.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #21,327, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.