leady

Leady is an infrequent English adjective formed from the noun lead with the -y suffix. It is used to describe something that contains lead or has lead-like properties, but the form is uncommon in contemporary writing. More standard descriptors for the same ideas are lead-bearing or lead-containing for content, and leaden for appearance or quality.

Etymology and usage history suggest that leady arose through the common pattern of turning nouns into adjectives with -y to signal characteristic. Its appearance is largely confined to older, technical, or specialized texts, particularly in mining, geology, or material descriptions, where a succinct modifier for lead-rich material can be useful.

In practice, leady may be encountered in mineral descriptions to indicate lead-rich ore or material. When referring to color or texture, the term would imply a dull, metallic gray akin to lead; however, such sense is usually conveyed more clearly by leaden or lead-gray, which are the preferred forms in modern writing. The rarity of leady means that it is often regarded as archaic or stylistically marked.

Aside from its adjectival use, leady also exists as a rare surname in English-speaking regions. Variants and related terms include lead and leaden, which cover the broader meanings of containing lead and resembling lead in color or weight.