What does waterproofness mean?
Waterproofness names the quality or degree of being waterproof. It is especially useful when discussing the ability of a material, garment, device, or structure to keep water from passing through. The term is more precise than simply saying that something is “waterproof,” which may describe the item itself, while waterproofness focuses on the property it possesses. In technical, commercial, and outdoor contexts, the word can suggest a measurable performance characteristic, as in the waterproofness of fabric, a coating, or a watch case. It is generally neutral in register and is used in both British and American English. Although a plural form is grammatically possible, waterproofness is usually treated as an abstract, uncountable quality.
nounThe quality of being waterproof, especially the ability of a material, garment, or structure to prevent water from passing through it.
- The quality or degree of being waterproof.
"The jacket's waterproofness was tested by leaving it in heavy rain for several hours."
"Engineers measured the waterproofness of the coating after exposing it to sustained rainfall."
"Although the shoes are comfortable, their limited waterproofness makes them unsuitable for muddy trails."
The plural is grammatically possible but rare because the word normally denotes an abstract quality and is used in the singular or uncountably.
"The tests compared the waterproofnesses of several different membranes."
Waterproofness is the difference between wearing a jacket in a storm and staying dry when the storm comes.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does waterproofness come from?
Waterproofness is a 19th-century compound formation in which waterproof is combined with the noun-forming suffix -ness, meaning “the state or quality of being.” The adjective waterproof itself combines water with proof, in the sense of being able to withstand or resist a particular substance. The related form waterproofing refers to a material or process used to make something resistant to water, while water is the older element supplying the semantic base.
How waterproofness is actually used
The noun is formal but understandable in general English. It is usually used as an uncountable noun when referring to a material's general resistance to water; the plural form is uncommon.
Easily confused with waterproofness
Waterproof is usually an adjective describing something that prevents water from passing through, whereas waterproofness is the noun for that quality or ability.