water-repellent

American  

[waw-ter-ri-pel-uhnt, wot-er-] / ˈwɔ tər rɪˌpɛl ənt, ˈwɒt ər- /

adjective

1. having a finish that resists but is not impervious to water.

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water-repellent British  

adjective

1. (of fabrics, garments, etc) having a finish that resists the absorption of water

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Etymology

Origin of water-repellent

First recorded in 1895–1900

Compare meaning

How does water-repellent compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• water-repellent vs. water-resistant

Example Sentences

Clean gravel has been washed of debris that could form a water-repellent crust in the mulch and support weed growth.

From Seattle Times

Made primarily of lipids, the same water-repellent molecules that constitute household cooking fats like butter and olive oil, lipid nanoparticles have proven tremendously effective at delivering delicate molecular payloads.

From Science Daily

Also critically important is how the soils above the neighborhood changed due to the wildfire, which causes “water-repellent soils” to develop.

From Los Angeles Times

Researchers reporting in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces have developed a simple, transparent coating that makes surfaces, like porcelain, more water-repellent.

From Science Daily

The new adhesive also bonds "difficult" surfaces such as water-repellent polypropylene.

From Science Daily