patent leather

noun

pat·​ent leather ˈpa-tᵊn(t)- How to pronounce patent leather (audio)
British usually ˈpā-
Synonyms of patent leathernext
: a leather with a hard smooth glossy surface

Examples of patent leather in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The reflective finish was reminiscent of patent leather and picked up the shimmery tones on her eyes too. — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 23 June 2026 Break up a black-and-white outfit with juicy pops of color, like this creator’s apple-green flats or the lavender patent leather pair below. — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 4 July 2026 The same mule takes on a glossier finish in black and white patent leather, both priced at $895, while a bronze calf-leather iteration is listed at $935. — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for patent leather

Word History

First Known Use

1816, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of patent leather was in 1816

Rhymes for patent leather

See All Rhymes for patent leather

Browse Nearby Words

patent insides
patent leather
patent log
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Patent leather.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patent%20leather. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

patent leather

noun
pat·​ent leather ˌpat-ᵊn(t)- How to pronounce patent leather (audio)
: a leather with a hard smooth glossy surface

More from Merriam-Webster on patent leather

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for patent leather

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about patent leather

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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