patent leather

noun

pat·​ent leather ˈpa-tᵊn(t)- 

British usually ˈpā-

: a leather with a hard smooth glossy surface

Examples of patent leather in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The glossy patent leather gives the sandals an elevated look, while the silver-tone hardware on the oversized buckle pops against the rich purple strap. — Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 4 Sep. 2026

Amal’s custom Haider Ackermann for Tom Ford gown featured ruching throughout and dainty patent leather straps, which coordinated with her shiny pumps and envelope clutch. — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 3 Sep. 2026

Along with the dress, Amal Clooney wore the Tom Ford Vertigo shoes and carried a matching patent leather clutch. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2026

Patrolling in pairs and marked by their black patent leather tricorn hats, the Guardia Civil sometimes forced refugees back into France but more often threw them into spartan jails until the British or the American consul sent for them. — Literary Hub, 31 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1816, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for patent leather

• altogether
• aether
• gether
• heather
• nether
• tether
• weather
• wether
• whether
• together

Kids Definition

patent leather

noun

pat·​ent leather ˌpat-ᵊn(t)- 

: a leather with a hard smooth glossy surface