waterproof
Americanadjective
noun
-
waterproofs
plural
verb (used with object)
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waterproofs,
present (3rd person singular)
-
waterproofed,
past participle, past
-
waterproofing
present participle
adjective
noun
verb
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
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
waterproofsimple
-
waterproofssimple
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have waterproofedperfect
-
has waterproofedperfect
-
am waterproofingprogressive
-
are waterproofingprogressive
-
is waterproofingprogressive
-
have been waterproofingperfect progressive
-
has been waterproofingperfect progressive
Past
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waterproofedsimple
-
had waterproofedperfect
-
was waterproofingprogressive
-
were waterproofingprogressive
-
had been waterproofingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of waterproof
Explanation
Water can't penetrate something that's waterproof. Umbrellas and rain boots don't work very well if they're not waterproof. Waterproof jackets will keep you dry even if it starts to rain, and waterproof mascara won't run in black streaks down your face even if you're weeping at a sad movie. You can use this word as a verb, too: "We should waterproof the tent before we go camping this weekend — it's supposed to pour!" If you're British, you might also use waterproof as a noun, to mean a waterproof rain coat.
Vocabulary lists containing waterproof
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:
With extreme weather events becoming increasingly frequent as a result of climate change, the Netherlands will have to rethink a strategy that has until now been "waterproof."
From Barron's ● Aug. 15, 2026
WSJ | Buy Side: The best beach bags include durable, waterproof picks as well as chic options that transition from sand to sidewalk.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026
I have a waterproof outfit, a tarpaulin over the bench, decorated with union jacks.
From BBC ● May 10, 2026
Bees, however, often coat their nests with a waxy secretion that creates a waterproof, polished interior.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 3, 2026
Zheng trudged to the piece of ground surrounded by coconut trees where Shifa had spread out a waterproof sheet and was taking some food out of a round-bottomed cane basket.
From "The Boy Who Met a Whale" by Nizrana Farook
But it never hurts to bring waterproofs just in case, and some drizzle is forecast by Monday afternoon.
From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2025
But, in a country with an average annual rainfall of 55 inches, waterproofs are never a bad idea...
From BBC ● May 22, 2024
I packed as I would for a hostile assignment: Layers and waterproofs to account for the notoriously moody weather.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 15, 2022
When the weather turned sour, as it has the tendency to do in Scotland, Timberlake was prepared with a pair of waterproofs from Ralph Lauren RLX, a G/FORE umbrella and a matching Clubglove golf towel.
From Golf Digest ● Sep. 28, 2019
The interesting thing about the man was that he had no pack, and so no waterproofs, and was wearing shorts and sneakers.
From "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson
The entire audience area was gutted and rebuilt, new foundations were poured in the basement and spaces were waterproofed.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 23, 2024
Teflon was also used to make the DEG, which was waterproofed and covered with a conductive fabric to act as the electrodes.
From Science Daily ● Jan. 17, 2024
They are used in thousands of common household products, particularly those that are meant to be waterproofed or stain-resistant.
From Salon ● Nov. 13, 2023
As Google showed, that doesn’t necessarily require adding an extra physical key that has to be waterproofed.
From The Verge ● Jul. 30, 2022
Way back when the creek had water in it, I came floating down it in a wicker basket waterproofed with pitch.
From "Bridge to Terabithia" by Katherine Paterson
That part—putting the waterproofing on the pool—may not hurt.
From Slate ● Jun. 4, 2026
The combination will bring together QXO’s leading positions in roofing, waterproofing, lumber-related building materials, and associated products with TopBuild’s insulation capabilities.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 20, 2026
Seabirds are especially at risk because oil destroyed the waterproofing of their feathers, leading to hypothermia and drowning.
From Barron's ● Mar. 17, 2026
The works then progresses over the following months to bridge waterproofing, concrete repairs, resurfacing, expansion joint replacements, edge beam strengthening, and barrier upgrades.
From BBC ● Sep. 7, 2025
Waterproofing.—The waterproofing of the structure proved a serious problem.
From Concrete Construction Methods and Costs by Halbert Powers Gillette
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
