patent leather

[ pat-nt, pat-n or, especially British, peyt-nt ]

See synonyms for patent leather on Thesaurus.com

noun

a hard, glossy, smooth leather, used especially in shoes and accessories.

Origin of patent leather

An Americanism dating back to 1820–30

Words Nearby patent leather

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use patent leather in a sentence

Models wore black knee-socks with patent leather Mary Janes and thick neckties.
Ralph Lauren Spring Summer 2014: Black, White, and Bright | Isabel Wilkinson | September 12, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
His patent-leather mini-skirts, which stand away from the body, are like perfectly molded little bells.
Raf’s Ready-to-Wear Debut at Dior | Robin Givhan | September 28, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
The Atelier Versace collection emphasized the deconstruction and reassembly of garments using patent-leather strips.
Chanel, Armani, and Givenchy Present Their Haute-Couture Collections in Paris | Robin Givhan | July 4, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
Elsewhere, there are preppy neon slippers, floral kitten heels, and S&M-y patent leather wedges.
London Shoe Star Nicholas Kirkwood on Opening New York Store and More | Isabel Wilkinson | May 1, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
She was wearing a simple Dior fitted dress that was accessorized with a pair of black patent leather pumps.
Courtney Love Loves Fashion Week, Hates the Subway | Jacob Bernstein | September 15, 2010 | THE DAILY BEAST

The young fellow with the “patent leather” hair still lingered by the table where Jessie and Amy had sat.
The Campfire Girls of Roselawn | Margaret Penrose
Another swift survey of the slight figure disclosed a pair of patent-leather pumps.
A Hoosier Chronicle | Meredith Nicholson
He had again mounted his cork legs, and encased his cork feet with splendid-fitting patent leather boots, and Mole felt happy.
Jack Harkaway's Boy Tinker Among The Turks | Bracebridge Hemyng
His clothes were not badly rumpled; his patent-leather boots were scarcely scratched.
The Escape of Mr. Trimm | Irvin S. Cobb
As he did so, the grappling hook caught hold of Dot's belt of patent leather that fastened her heavy coat about the waist.
Five Little Starrs in the Canadian Forest | Lillian Elizabeth Roy

British Dictionary definitions for patent leather

patent leather

noun

leather or imitation leather processed with lacquer to give a hard glossy surface

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

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