mothproof

American  

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

adjective

1. resistant to attack by moths.

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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

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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

Manhattan's Witty Bros., manufacturer and retailer of men's suits and coats, will mothproof its fall line with the "Boconize" process developed by Manhattan's Bocon Chemical Corp.

From Time Magazine Archive

The fibers can then be stiffened or softened, straightened or curled, made mothproof, shrinkproof, even waterproof.

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