waterproof
gb/wˈɔtɚpɹˌuf/ us/wˈɔtɚpɹˌuf/
B1
English
~ 9400
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
not affected or penetrated by water
Not letting water go through, and not getting damaged by water.
Usage pattern:
waterproof [noun]
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "waterproof" with "water-resistant". "Waterproof" usually means no water gets through at all under normal use, while "water-resistant" means it can handle some water, but not as much. Another mistake is saying "waterproof from water"; you normally just say "waterproof shoes" or "shoes that are waterproof" without adding "from water".
Synonyms
water-resistant (Often means it can resist some water but not complete or long-term exposure, slightly weaker than fully waterproof.)
|
watertight (Commonly used for containers or structures that do not let water in; less used for clothes or electronics.)
Antonyms
leaky (Emphasizes that water can get through small openings or holes.)
|
permeable (More technical; describes a material that lets liquids or gases pass through.)
Collocations
waterproof jacket
|waterproof shoes
|waterproof mascara
|waterproof case
|fully waterproof
|waterproof material
Themes
daily life
|clothing
|technology
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Examples
- Make sure your hiking boots are waterproof before you walk through the snow.
- I bought a waterproof case so I can use my phone at the pool.
- This tent is fully waterproof and can handle heavy rain.
- The camera is waterproof up to a depth of ten meters.
- She prefers waterproof mascara because it does not run when she sweats.
Learner examples
- I need a waterproof jacket for my trip.
- These shoes are not waterproof, so my feet got wet.
- He uses a waterproof bag for his laptop.
- This watch is waterproof, so you can swim with it.
- I put my phone in a waterproof cover at the beach.
Verb
B2
action
2
make something resistant to water
To add a layer or use a method so that water cannot get into something or harm it.
Usage pattern:
to waterproof [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes drop the object and say "I will waterproof" without saying what will be waterproofed, which sounds incomplete in most contexts. Another mistake is confusing the verb and adjective and saying "I will waterproof my jacket is" instead of either "I will waterproof my jacket" (verb) or "My jacket is waterproof" (adjective).
Synonyms
seal (Often used for closing gaps to stop water, air, or gas, not only water; broader and sometimes less strong than fully waterproofing.)
Antonyms
expose (Leaving something unprotected so water can reach or damage it.)
Collocations
waterproof the basement
|waterproof a roof
|waterproof the tent
|waterproof fabric
|waterproof a deck
|properly waterproof
Themes
home
|construction
|technology
|daily_life
|work
Examples
- We need to waterproof the basement before the rainy season starts.
- They waterproofed the deck with a special sealant last summer.
- You should waterproof your hiking boots if you plan to cross streams.
- The company offers a service to clean and waterproof old tents.
- He spent the weekend waterproofing the roof to stop the leaks.
Learner examples
- I want to waterproof my shoes.
- They will waterproof the walls next week.
- We need to waterproof the roof of this house.
- She used a spray to waterproof her backpack.
- He paid a worker to waterproof the bathroom floor.
Noun
B1
entity
3
waterproof coat or garment
A coat or jacket made so that rain or water cannot go through it.
Usage pattern:
put on [a] waterproof
Common mistake:
Some learners do not realize that "a waterproof" can be a noun meaning a coat or set of clothes, especially in British English, and only use "waterproof" as an adjective. Others sometimes say "a waterproof coat" when they mean the standalone noun; both are correct, but "a waterproof" alone is more compact and common in UK usage.
Synonyms
raincoat (Specifically a coat for rain; very close in meaning, but "waterproof" can also refer to trousers or full suits.)
Antonyms
overcoat (A general warm coat that is not necessarily resistant to water.)
Collocations
a lightweight waterproof
|a hooded waterproof
|pack a waterproof
|waterproof trousers
|bright yellow waterproof
|hire waterproofs
Themes
clothing
|daily life
|weather
|daily_life
Examples
- Don't forget your waterproof; the forecast says heavy rain all day.
- We rented waterproofs before going on the boat tour.
- She pulled on a bright yellow waterproof and ran outside.
- My old waterproof leaks, so I need to buy a new one.
- The hiking company recommends a lightweight waterproof and waterproof trousers.
Learner examples
- I always keep a waterproof in my car.
- He put on his waterproof and went for a walk in the rain.
- You should bring a waterproof if you visit this city in winter.
- The shop sells boots, backpacks, and waterproofs.
- Her waterproof was still wet from yesterday's storm.
Grammar
Dictionary form
waterproof
IPA
GB/wˈɔtɚpɹˌuf/
US/wˈɔtɚpɹˌuf/
Syllables & stress
wa - ter - proof (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (wa)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: waterproof
Noun
- Base: waterproof
- Plural: waterproofs
Verb
- Base: waterproof
- 3rd Person Singular: waterproofs
- Present Participle: waterproofing
- Past: waterproofed
Word family
Forms
waterproofs
noun
waterproofing
verb
waterproofed
verb
Negative and opposite forms
non-waterproof
adjective
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.