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:
Emperor penguins rely on stable sea ice to live, hunt and breed and their chicks can perish if they fall in freezing water before developing waterproof feathers.
From Barron's ● Sep. 30, 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
WSJ | Buy Side: The best beach bags include durable, waterproof picks as well as chic options that transition from sand to sidewalk.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026
The first of its kind in the UK, the outdoor ward has enough space for six patients, who can be connected to power and oxygen supplies housed in a waterproof box next to each bed.
From BBC ● May 29, 2026
There’s one now, trying to sneak into my box of waterproof matches—and another, peeking out the arm of my sweater!
From "Flying to the Moon: An Astronaut's Story" by Michael Collins
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
The recent wet weather in the UK has spurred demand for waterproofs for dogs "which tend to be the sort of fabric you might wear yourself".
From BBC ● May 27, 2021
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
The interesting thing about the man was that he had no pack, and so no waterproofs, and was wearing shorts and sneakers.
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
Jeep’s are meant to be taken off-road, and as such, the company claims its electronic are properly sealed and waterproofed.
From The Verge ● Sep. 29, 2021
Frightful dropped lower on the spruce tree and waterproofed her feathers with the oil from her tail gland.
From "Frightful's Mountain" by Jean Craighead George
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
Their analysis showed that the waterproofing material was made from animal fat mixed with pine pitch.
From Science Daily ● Feb. 16, 2026
Thus more than a third of the cost of the entire work was in waterproofing the structure, and this made the contract a money losing one, as this heavy cost was not anticipated.
From Concrete Construction Methods and Costs by Halbert Powers Gillette
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.
