What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
leakage
Example
The faucet has a leakage problem and needs to be fixed. [leakage: noun]
Example
The company suffered a leakage of confidential information. [leakage: noun]
Example
The power plant experienced a leakage of radioactive material. [leakage: noun]
discharge
Example
The doctor advised the patient to avoid any discharge from the wound. [discharge: noun]
Example
The company decided to discharge several employees due to budget cuts. [discharge: verb]
Example
The soldier received an honorable discharge after serving for ten years. [discharge: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Discharge is more commonly used than leakage in everyday language. Discharge is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while leakage is less common and refers to specific technical or scientific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between leakage and discharge?
Both leakage and discharge can be used in technical or specialized contexts, but leakage is more formal and scientific-sounding, while discharge is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.