water-repellent

adjective

wa·​ter-re·​pel·​lent ˌwȯ-tər-ri-ˈpe-lənt 

ˌwä-, 

-tə-ri-

: treated with a finish that is resistant but not impervious to penetration by water

Examples of water-repellent in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Each edition of the six-inch boot is made with a mix of leather and nylon with a water-repellent coating. —Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 3 Feb. 2026

And fire ants use their waxy, water-repellent coating and textured exoskeletons to trap air; during floods, thousands cling together to make buoyant, living rafts that can survive 12 days and possibly longer. —Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 3 Feb. 2026

Although lightweight, this comfortable jacket will keep you warm with its insulated, water-repellent down filling. —Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 1 Feb. 2026

Diving bell spiders, for example, trap air bubbles to survive underwater, while fire ants link their water-repellent bodies together to form floating rafts during floods. —Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 28 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1820, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for water-repellent

• appellant
• libellant
• propellant
• repellant
• repellent

Kids Definition

water-repellent

adjective

wa·​ter-re·​pel·​lent

ˌwȯt-ə(r)-ri-ˈpel-ənt, 

ˌwät-

: treated with a finish that resists but does not completely prevent penetration by water