ooze
Blood oozed from the wound.
Blood slowly leaked out of the wound.
to flow out slowly, often thickly or in small amounts
The sap oozed from the tree trunk.
The tree's sap slowly leaked out.
Pus oozed from the infected cut.
The infected cut released pus slowly.
Often used for liquids that are thick, sticky, or unpleasant.
to display a strong quality or emotion in a way that is difficult to hide
Confidence oozed from every word she spoke.
She showed strong confidence in everything she said.
The restaurant oozes charm with its vintage decor.
The restaurant clearly has a lot of charm.
Usually describes positive qualities like confidence, charm, or wealth.
a thick, slow-flowing liquid or substance
The mud had the consistency of thick ooze.
The mud was very thick and slow-moving.
Can refer to mud, slime, or other viscous substances.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoid literal mud
While 'ooze' can describe mud, it's more commonly used for other thick substances like blood, sap, or pus. For mud, 'mire' or 'sludge' might be more precise.
Gold Rule
Slow flow required
If something flows quickly, use 'gush' or 'pour' instead of 'ooze'.
Thickness implied
The liquid or substance should be thick or viscous; thin liquids like water don't 'ooze'.
Word Origin
From Middle English 'wose' (mud, mire), from Old English 'wāse' (soft mud, mire), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch 'waas' (haze) and German 'Wies' (meadow). The verb sense emerged later, likely influenced by the noun's imagery of slow movement.
Usage Notes
As a verb, 'ooze' often implies a slow, steady release rather than a sudden flow. It can describe both physical liquids and metaphorical qualities. The figurative use is more common in creative writing or descriptive language.