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

• mac [British]
• mack
• mackintosh [chiefly British]
• macintosh
• raincoat
• slicker
• waterproof [chiefly British]

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

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1775, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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