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Synonyms

waterproof

American  
[waw-ter-proof, wot-er-] / ˈwɔ tərˌpruf, ˈwɒt ər- /

adjective

  1. impervious to water.

  2. rendered impervious to water by some special process, as coating or treating with rubber.

    a waterproof hat.


noun

  1. Chiefly British. a raincoat or other outer coat impervious to water.

  2. any of several coated or rubberized fabrics that are impervious to water.

verb (used with object)

  1. to make waterproof.

waterproof British  
/ ˈwɔːtəˌpruːf /

adjective

  1. not penetrable by water Compare water-repellent water-resistant

"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

noun

  1. a waterproof garment, esp a raincoat

"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

verb

  1. to make (a fabric, item of clothing, etc) waterproof

"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

Usage

What does waterproof mean? If something is waterproof, water can’t soak it or get inside of it. For example, waterproof boots will keep your feet dry even if you walk in water.Waterproof is also commonly used as a verb meaning to make something waterproof, as in We need to waterproof this basement so it won’t flood during rainstorms. Waterproof is sometimes used in the U.K. as a noun to refer to a waterproof garment, especially a raincoat, as in It’s raining, so you’d better wear your waterproof.Example: Make sure you get a waterproof tent—the ones that are only water-resistant can still let the rain in.

Other Word Forms

  • waterproofer noun
  • waterproofness noun

Etymology

Origin of waterproof

First recorded in 1730–40; water + -proof

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.

He says there's lots of information out there about what to pack and stresses that good-quality waterproof clothing doesn't have to be expensive.

From BBC

Like at the brand's men's show in January, a short yellow waterproof cape decorated a coat, while a beige jacket revealed bronze sequins beneath a turned up collar.

From Barron's

Each year the birds must stay on platforms of floating ice for long enough to replace weather-beaten feathers with new, waterproof coats.

From BBC

Clifton Broumand, owner of a Maryland-based business that assembles waterproof keyboards and computer mouses for the healthcare industry, is looking to shift his purchases of silicone parts from China to Mexico to avoid tariffs.

From The Wall Street Journal

Though it’s not waterproof, you can wear it during most workouts.

From The Wall Street Journal