patent leather

noun

pat·​ent leather ˈpa-tᵊn(t)- How to pronounce patent leather (audio)
 British usually  ˈpā-
: a leather with a hard smooth glossy surface

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web This patent leather pair is just bright enough to feel like a real switch-up from my classic black pairs, yet versatile enough to wear with suits and weekend dresses. Halie Lesavage, Harper's BAZAAR, 24 Mar. 2023 Unlike your flimsy, patent leather ballet flats, these shoes offer full-foot comfort and cushioning with their arch-conforming foam insoles and supportive rubber outsoles. Emily Belfiore, Travel + Leisure, 24 Mar. 2023 In her hand was a Miu Miu bag with cognac patent leather flats to match. Elise Brisco, USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2023 During a trip to London, Hailey Bieber dressed up in a patent leather LaQuan Smith version of her now signature thigh-grazing hemline, with semisheer black tights, slingbacks, and a Saint Laurent Le 5 À 7 bag over her shoulder. Alice Cary, Glamour, 23 Feb. 2023 Henry Golding rocks a turtleneck under his deep teal velvet suit worn with patent leather dress shoes and perfectly tousled hair on the 2023 Critics Choice Awards red carpet. Jackie Fields, Peoplemag, 15 Jan. 2023 Doja Cat, the 27-year-old singer and rapper nominated in five categories, arrived on the red carpet in a figure-hugging, single-shoulder vinyl Versace gown that evoked black patent leather. Ashley Fetters Maloy, Washington Post, 6 Feb. 2023 These loafers are all class and comfort – which is not always the case with patent leather. Amy Louise Bailey, Travel + Leisure, 27 Jan. 2023 Now the Shopping Bag looks even more sleek and chic in patent leather, coming in red and black iterations of the original matte Shopping Bag. Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 6 Dec. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'patent leather.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1816, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of patent leather was in 1816

Dictionary Entries Near patent leather

Cite this Entry

“Patent leather.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patent%20leather. Accessed 26 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

patent leather

noun
pat·​ent leather ˌpat-ᵊn(t)- How to pronounce patent leather (audio)
: a leather with a hard smooth glossy surface

More from Merriam-Webster on patent leather

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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