hydrophobic
adjective
hy·dro·pho·bic
ˌhī-drə-ˈfō-bik 
1
: of, relating to, or suffering from hydrophobia
2
: lacking affinity for water
Examples of hydrophobic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
On top of the blade laying down small bits of silicone—which is inherently hydrophobic—Michelin has treated the wiper with four layers of its hydrophobic coating to improve clearing ability before the wiper is even engaged.
—
Matt Crisara, Popular Mechanics, 12 Jan. 2023
Body of knowledge The human body is approximately 60 percent water — a little more for men, a little less for women, who typically have more hydrophobic fat content.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2023
These anti-humid feats are usually courtesy of polyester, which is literally hydrophobic and water-repellent.
—Maverick Li, menshealth.com, 19 Apr. 2023
The trick is a deft blend of both hydrophobic and hydrophilic yarns in a knit structure that promotes airflow and keeps just the right amount of moisture against the skin.
—Outside Online, 14 Sep. 2021
The bodies of the Namib Desert darkling beetle species are covered with little bumps, about twice the thickness of a human hair, while the shell itself is covered with a waxy substance that is highly hydrophobic (repels water).
—Jay Harman, Discover Magazine, 29 Apr. 2013
These fibers are inherently hydrophobic, durable and easy to care for.
—Amanda Constantine, Good Housekeeping, 30 Jan. 2023
They're made of Si Fusion fabric, which consists of a sticky hydrophobic silicone coating that's worn against the skin and a smooth hydrophilic fabric that masterfully reduces friction.
—Leslie Hsu Oh, Travel + Leisure, 27 Jan. 2023
The moth-eye nanostructures mimic this effect, and a hydrophobic coating is applied in the fabrication process.
—Sylvia Morrow, Discover Magazine, 22 June 2017
Matt Crisara, Popular Mechanics, 12 Jan. 2023
Body of knowledge The human body is approximately 60 percent water — a little more for men, a little less for women, who typically have more hydrophobic fat content.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2023
These anti-humid feats are usually courtesy of polyester, which is literally hydrophobic and water-repellent.
—Maverick Li, menshealth.com, 19 Apr. 2023
The trick is a deft blend of both hydrophobic and hydrophilic yarns in a knit structure that promotes airflow and keeps just the right amount of moisture against the skin.
—Outside Online, 14 Sep. 2021
The bodies of the Namib Desert darkling beetle species are covered with little bumps, about twice the thickness of a human hair, while the shell itself is covered with a waxy substance that is highly hydrophobic (repels water).
—Jay Harman, Discover Magazine, 29 Apr. 2013
These fibers are inherently hydrophobic, durable and easy to care for.
—Amanda Constantine, Good Housekeeping, 30 Jan. 2023
They're made of Si Fusion fabric, which consists of a sticky hydrophobic silicone coating that's worn against the skin and a smooth hydrophilic fabric that masterfully reduces friction.
—Leslie Hsu Oh, Travel + Leisure, 27 Jan. 2023
The moth-eye nanostructures mimic this effect, and a hydrophobic coating is applied in the fabrication process.
—Sylvia Morrow, Discover Magazine, 22 June 2017
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hydrophobic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Hydrophobic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hydrophobic. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
hydrophobic
adjective
hy·dro·pho·bic
-ˈfō-bik
1
: of, relating to, or suffering from hydrophobia
2
: resistant to or avoiding wetting
a hydrophobic lens
3
: of, relating to, or having a lack of affinity for water
hydrophobic colloids are relatively unstable
compare lyophobic, oleophobic
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