Synonyms

water-resistant

American

[waw-ter-ri-zis-tuhnt, wot-er-] / ˈwɔ tər rɪˌzɪs tənt, ˈwɒt ər- /

adjective

resisting though not entirely preventing the penetration of water.

water-resistant British

adjective

(esp of fabrics) designed to resist but not entirely prevent the penetration of water

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of water-resistant

First recorded in 1920–25

Compare meaning

How does water-resistant compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

water-repellent vs. water-resistant

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The substances have incredibly strong bonds which giving them properties such as being water-resistant and oil-resistant and they are cheap to manufacture.

From BBC

The process resembles natural strategies seen in diving bell spiders, which carry air bubbles underwater, and in fire ants, which form floating rafts using their water-resistant bodies.

From Science Daily

At less than 10 ounces, it’s water-resistant and offers a wide field of vision for getting a close look at anything you come across.

From Salon

Beavers were hunted to extinction in Britain 400 years ago for their meat, furry water-resistant pelts and a substance they secrete called castoreum - used in food, medicine and perfume.

From BBC

Hill stripped four of those inherited chairs down to their frames and rewove them with water-resistant macramé in bright colors like lime and magenta.

From New York Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023