oilskin
noun
oil·skin
ˈȯi(-ə)l-ˌskin 
1
: an oiled waterproof cloth used for coverings and garments
2
: an oilskin raincoat
3
oilskins plural
: an oilskin suit of coat and trousers
Synonyms
Examples of oilskin in a Sentence
the oilskins worn by the fishing boat's crew gave them scant protection from the cold, driving rain
Recent Examples on the Web
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
You order oysters, boiled langoustines, pickled herring, steamed mussels, smoked salmon, or chowder from a young woman in oilskins and rubber boots.
—David Coggins, CNT, 24 Feb. 2017
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
You order oysters, boiled langoustines, pickled herring, steamed mussels, smoked salmon, or chowder from a young woman in oilskins and rubber boots.
—David Coggins, CNT, 24 Feb. 2017
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'oilskin.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
circa 1775, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near oilskin
Cite this Entry
“Oilskin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oilskin. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
oilskin
noun
oil·skin
ˈȯi(ə)l-ˌskin
1
: a waterproof cloth
2
: an oilskin raincoat
3
plural
: an oilskin coat and trousers
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