Showing results for water-repellent. Search instead for Water+Repellent.

water-repellent

American

[waw-ter-ri-pel-uhnt, wot-er-] / ˈwɔ tər rɪˌpɛl ənt, ˈwɒt ər- /

adjective

having a finish that resists but is not impervious to water.

water-repellent British

adjective

(of fabrics, garments, etc) having a finish that resists the absorption 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-repellent

First recorded in 1895–1900

Compare meaning

How does water-repellent 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.

See Examples For:

water-repellent

It previously had used the chemicals in durable water-repellent garments, which accounted for a small portion of the products it sold.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 13, 2026

The NWS had warned that two 'burn scars' around Ruidoso were high risk for flash-flooding, as the charred soil left behind by last year's wildfires would be "as water-repellent as a pavement".

From BBC ● Jul. 9, 2025

The Even Coat in Clay is made from waxed cotton, providing water-repellent and wind resistant properties without the use of synthetic materials.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 17, 2025

Clean gravel has been washed of debris that could form a water-repellent crust in the mulch and support weed growth.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 12, 2024

I had asked the salesgirl, "Is it water-repellent?"

From "The Bell Jar" by Sylvia Plath

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word

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