water-resistant

American  

[waw-ter-ri-zis-tuhnt, wot-er-] / ˈwɔ tər rɪˌzɪs tənt, ˈwɒt ər- /

adjective

1. resisting though not entirely preventing the penetration of water.

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water-resistant British  

adjective

1. (esp of fabrics) designed to resist but not entirely prevent the penetration of water

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Etymology

Origin of water-resistant

First recorded in 1920–25

Compare meaning

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

• water-repellent vs. water-resistant

Example Sentences

I have one of those sports fabric shirts for breathability, and I put on a two-layer coat, so it has the thermal fleece on the inside and a water-resistant outer layer.

From Slate • Feb. 24, 2026

It is a company making safety-compliant workboots and water-resistant cargo pants.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 2, 2026

The process resembles natural strategies seen in diving bell spiders, which carry air bubbles underwater, and in fire ants, which form floating rafts using their water-resistant bodies.

From Science Daily • Jan. 30, 2026

Beavers were hunted to extinction in Britain 400 years ago for their meat, furry water-resistant pelts and a substance they secrete called castoreum - used in food, medicine and perfume.

From BBC • Jun. 27, 2025

The structure of certain pigments is such that when they are ground in linseed oil and painted out, films are produced which are very water-resistant.

From Paint Technology and Tests by Gardner, Henry A.