waterproof
waterproof Lexical Profile
waterproof Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Impervious to water; made or treated so that water cannot penetrate or cause damage.
"She packed a waterproof jacket in case of sudden mountain rainstorms."
• verb
To treat a material, garment, or structure so that water cannot penetrate it.
"They hired a contractor to waterproof the basement walls before finishing the renovation."
• noun
British A garment, especially a coat, jacket, or pair of trousers, made of material that prevents water from passing through.
"The hikers put on their waterproofs before setting out across the wet moorland."
Word Nuance & Usage
In consumer products and engineering, "waterproof" indicates total impermeability to water, whereas "water-resistant" means the item only repels water to a limited degree.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the early 18th century as a compound of "water" (from Old English wæter) and "proof" (from Old French prueve, used here in the sense of being tested and found impenetrable).