mothproof

American  

[mawth-proof, moth-] / ˈmɔθˌpruf, ˈmɒθ- /

adjective

1. resistant to attack by moths.

---

verb (used with object)

1. to render (fabric, clothing, etc.) mothproof.

mothproof British  

/ ˈmɒθˌpruːf /

adjective

1. (esp of clothes) chemically treated so as to repel clothes moths

---

verb

1. (tr) to make (clothes, etc) mothproof

Other Word Forms

• mothproofer
  noun

Etymology

Origin of mothproof

First recorded in 1890–95; moth + -proof

Example Sentences

On days when routine chores like going to the post office or separating the laundry feel like punishments, the project of vacuum-sealing sweaters in mothproof storage bags seems unfeasible.

From New York Times • Mar. 30, 2024

The Maryknoll sisters combat moths by using nylon and other mothproof garb whenever possible, and they do their own laundry in gleaming washing machines.

From Time Magazine Archive

Cheaper than sheep's wool, Ardil can be mixed with wool, cotton or rayon, is shrinkproof, mothproof, woolly-warm.

From Time Magazine Archive

They may be inactivated by naphthalene in flakes or moth balls, sunlight, air, cedar chests, mothproof paper bags, temperatures below 40�.

From Time Magazine Archive

The gold was taken to a bank vault, the saris and blouses and petticoats put away in a mothproof box.

From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri