English · Word Candidate

waterproof

/ˈwɔːtəˌpruːf/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: waterproofs · waterproofing · waterproofed

Sense 1

Meaning · English

Resistant to the effects of water.

Adjective

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

Made of or covered with material that doesn't allow water in; impervious to water and immune to its effects.

Adjective

Examples

The captain did a safety drill. This covered where the emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) was located, how to make a mayday call, and where the fire extinguishers were. A crew member demonstrated how to put on an immersion suit. These survival suits are waterproof full-body garments

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

To make waterproof or water-resistant.

Verb

Examples

The dawn of the oil age was fairly recent. Although the stuff was used to waterproof boats in the Middle East 6,000 years ago, extracting it in earnest began only in 1859 after an oil strike in Pennsylvania. The first barrels of crude fetched $18 (around $450 at today’s prices).

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

A substance or preparation for rendering cloth, leather, etc., impervious to water.

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “waterproof” mean?

Resistant to the effects of water.

Is “waterproof” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.