Cool MateDisclose vs Leak
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Disclose
FormalTop 3,000 (common)C1verb
Leak
Top 1,000 (very common)C1verb
Most formal: DiscloseMost common: Leak
| Disclose | Leak | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //dɪsˈkləʊz//🇺🇸 //dɪsˈkloʊz// | 🇬🇧 /["/liːk/","/liːks/","/liːkt/","/ˈliːkɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/liːk/","/liːks/","/liːkt/","/ˈliːkɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To make something known or public | When a liquid or gas comes out of something that should hold it in. |
| Example | The company decided to disclose its financial results to the public. | The pipe started to leak after the heavy rain caused the ground to shift. |
| Register | Formal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | C1 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | disclose information, disclose a secret, disclose details | badly, slightly, badly, slightly, carefully, deliberately, widely, from, to |
| Antonyms | conceal, hide | seal, stop, plug |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'clothe' - 'disclose' does not involve clothing., Incorrect verb form - using 'discloser' instead of 'disclose'. | Confused with 'leech' which means to drain resources., Using 'leak' in situations where 'spillage' would be more appropriate., Omitting the object when saying something has leaked. |
| Usage notes | Used primarily in formal contexts, such as legal or business environments. Avoid in casual conversation. | Used in various contexts, from appliances to emotions. Avoid using in very formal discussions unless necessary. |
Frequently asked questions: Disclose vs Leak
What's the difference between Disclose and Leak?
Disclose: To make something known or public Leak: When a liquid or gas comes out of something that should hold it in.
Which is more formal: Disclose and Leak?
Disclose is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Disclose and Leak?
Leak is the most common in everyday English.
Are Disclose and Leak the same CEFR level?
Disclose: C1, Leak: C1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Disclose and Leak?
Disclose: verb, Leak: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Disclose: The company decided to disclose its financial results to the public. Leak: The pipe started to leak after the heavy rain caused the ground to shift.
Can I use Disclose and Leak interchangeably?
Not always. Disclose and Leak are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.