waterproof
Americanadjective
noun
-
waterproofs
plural
verb (used with object)
-
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
-
have waterproofedperfect
-
has waterproofedperfect
-
am waterproofingprogressive
-
are waterproofingprogressive
-
is waterproofingprogressive
-
have been waterproofingperfect progressive
-
has been waterproofingperfect progressive
Past
-
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:
"Some of these diving birds' feathers seem to have been modern-looking and waterproof, but they also had some smaller, fuzzy, primitive body feathers that we associate with dinosaurs and enantiornithines," says O'Connor.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 11, 2026
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
The company's first-generation model, Phantom MK-1, which I am shown, doesn't have a battery, isn't dust or waterproof and can't get back up if it falls.
From BBC ● Jun. 8, 2026
A waterproof coating allows the cathode to keep functioning, and the vertical layout helps it dry gradually after water recedes.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 19, 2026
It lay on its side in such a way that the solid parts of the block formed a roof and a floor, both waterproof, and the hollows made two spacious rooms.
From "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH" by Robert C. O'Brien
But it never hurts to bring waterproofs just in case, and some drizzle is forecast by Monday afternoon.
From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2025
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
Its volunteers are allowed onto sites to salvage sleeping bags, roll mats, tents, clothes, waterproofs and blankets, once everyone has left.
From BBC ● Aug. 28, 2019
I thought for a moment and with a small inward sigh remembered pulling the waterproofs out some days before and spreading them out in the basement to air.
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
It was beautifully made, light and strong, carefully waterproofed with pitch by Grandma, who kept it in good repair and in its own house by the side of the lake.
From "The Birchbark House" by Louise Erdrich
At 443 Greenwich, the offering plan called for a brand new “green roof” with multiple layers of waterproofing, but condo owners alleged that the roof actually installed was a cheaper version.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 10, 2026
That part—putting the waterproofing on the pool—may not hurt.
From Slate ● Jun. 4, 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
After completely cutting out all of the diseased parts the cut surfaces should be either sterilized or covered with a waterproofing which combines a fungicide with a covering.
From Northern Nut Growers Association, Report of the Proceedings at the Third Annual Meeting Lancaster, Pennsylvania, December 18 and 19, 1912 by Northern Nut Growers Association
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.
