oilskin

noun

ˈȯi(-ə)l-ˌskin How to pronounce oilskin (audio)
Definition of oilskinnext
as in slicker
a coat made of water-resistant material the oilskins worn by the fishing boat's crew gave them scant protection from the cold, driving rain

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of oilskin Founded in 1894 to outfit sailors with oilskins, Barbour remains family-owned. — Air Mail, 10 Oct. 2026 Mary Jane eventually found her muck boots and an oilskin jacket in the back of the hallway closet. — Kate Walbert, The New Yorker, 29 Nov. 2021 Daigle has a face like an oilskin raincoat, patinated from life on the land moonlighting for mining companies—chasing other people’s dreams. — Genesee Keevil, Popular Mechanics, 17 May 2018 Below the deck, his two sons fumble with their yellow oilskins and ready their orange rubber boots. — Matthew Bremner, Slate Magazine, 24 July 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oilskin
  1. slicker
  2. raincoat
  3. trench
  4. waterproof
  5. mackintosh
Noun
  • City slickers will definitely get a bang for their buck with this place, which is a lot more spacious than a shoebox on the Upper East Side.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 17 Nov. 2025
  • During the Waleses' trip to Canada in October 1991, Diana made time between touring an AIDS hospice and a women's shelter to join William, 9, and Harry, 7, on a visit to Niagara Falls, where the trio donned rain slickers for a wet and wild voyage on the Maid of the Mist.
    — Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Definition of slicker
Noun
  • Other amenities include a gym, a borrowing closet with Hunter boots and raincoats, and daily boat tours.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Oct. 2026
  • The true meaning of death lies in bookmarks and raincoats, not in textbooks and lecture theatres.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of raincoat
Noun
  • Those are emblazoned with signature Burberry knight, while outer boxes are decorated with the house’s tonal check, winking to the Burberry trench.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2026
  • This water-repellent midi trench will keep you dry for a while.
    — Andrea Bussell, Travel + Leisure, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of trench
Noun
  • Engineered with bold resonant audio and booming bass, an IP67 waterproof and dustproof exterior, up to 20 hours of battery life, and convenient USB-C charge-out support, it is built for every chaotic adventure.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Revlon’s waterproof and transfer-proof claims also make the formula appealing for longer-lasting makeup, although the brand’s wear claims apply to eyebrow use.
    — Ashley Lynch, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of waterproof
Noun
  • Plopped right on top of each look was a lightweight jacket—maybe a long mackintosh, a blouson-style leather coat or biker jacket, or a cropped Harrington.
    — Max Berlinger, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of mackintosh

Browse Nearby Words

oils
oilskin
oilskins
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Oilskin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oilskin. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of quondam

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Old-Timey Vehicles

The Words of the Week - Nov. 6

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
woman sitting on floor holding book in front of her face on pink background
Famous Novels, Last Lines Quiz Needless to say, spoiler alert.
See All