oozing

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "oozing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a slow, steady flow of a substance, often in a way that suggests it is leaking or seeping out. Example: "The chocolate was oozing from the center of the cake, creating a delicious mess."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Whenever you see a picture of Putin oozing machismo in the wild, he's always kitted out in military-grade apparel.

The Guardian

House parties, gigs at the Boardwalk, shouty music, jumping along to Reel Big Fish, Arctic Monkeys – "My sister knows them" – and the sticky, oozing floor of Corp where we'd make eyes at each other in goth makeup and drink Red Bull.

The Guardian - Music

Bournemouth were oozing confidence and defender Simon Francis was only just off target from range.

The Guardian - Sport

'They're all just like you,' she said, retail frustration oozing from every pore.

The Guardian - Travel

A structure they live in?" A waitress passes with a tray of salad as he points to an oozing wound.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"The Red Book" shows, in literary and symbolic form, his own process of individuation.In this section Spying on the secret archives Zealots, infidels and victims Oozing trouble Confronting the unconscious History today The play's the thing False profits or false prophet?

The Economist

Every day sees fresh commentaries heaping praise on their hero and oozing thinly veiled contempt for Mr Wen.

The Economist

But Ms Mantel eschews the usual damning view of Cromwell, called "Henry VIII's most notorious minister" in a recent non-fiction biography.In this section Spying on the secret archives Zealots, infidels and victims Oozing trouble Confronting the unconscious History today The play's the thing False profits or false prophet?

The Economist

As a result, most of the mass oozing downstream was excrement and foul water from flushed toilets, along with dead animals, factory waste, and other detritus.

The Economist

Russia, which caused a flurry of concern in 2007, when an explorer called Artur Chilingarov planted his country's flag under the North Pole, is now oozing amity.

The Economist

Oozing with gas, Algeria should be rich, but its economy is as moribund as its politics and rife with corruption.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "oozing" to vividly describe the slow and often unpleasant release of a liquid or the emanation of a strong emotion or quality. Ensure the context aligns with the generally negative or intense connotation of the word.

Common error

Avoid using "oozing" in highly formal or professional writing where a more neutral term like "emanating" or "releasing" would be more appropriate. "Oozing" often carries a negative or overly descriptive connotation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "oozing" is a present participle or gerund form of the verb "ooze". It often functions as an adjective, modifying a noun by describing something that is emitting a substance or quality. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "oozing" is a versatile term primarily functioning as a verb or adjective to depict the gradual release of a substance or the emanation of a quality. While grammatically sound, as confirmed by Ludwig, its usage leans toward neutral to informal contexts, often carrying a descriptive or intense connotation. As seen in examples from The Guardian, The Economist and Encyclopedia Britannica, it is commonly found in news and media, used both literally (describing fluids) and figuratively (describing emotions or characteristics).

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seeping

Focuses on slow leakage, often through a porous material.

exuding

Emphasizes radiating a quality or characteristic.

leaking

Highlights an unintended or unwanted release.

emanating

Suggests a subtle or gradual emission of something.

discharging

Implies a controlled or deliberate release.

flowing slowly

Describes the action in terms of speed of the fluid movement.

trickling

Focuses on a very small and gentle flow.

dripping

Suggests a release in single, separated drops.

disgorging

Indicates to pour out.

emitting

Highlights the act of sending out or giving off something.

FAQs

How can I use "oozing" in a sentence?

You can use "oozing" to describe a liquid slowly seeping out of something, such as "The wound was oozing pus". It can also describe a quality that someone is radiating, like "He was oozing confidence".

What are some synonyms for "oozing"?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms like "seeping", "exuding", "leaking", or "emanating".

Is it correct to say something is "oozing" with confidence?

Yes, it is correct. Using "oozing" with a quality like confidence emphasizes that the person is radiating or displaying that quality in a very obvious and perhaps excessive way.

What's the difference between "oozing" and "dripping"?

"Oozing" suggests a slow, continuous flow or seepage, while "dripping" implies a release in separate, individual drops. "Oozing" also often carries a connotation of something unpleasant or undesirable.