tanned; tanning
1
: to make (skin) tan especially by exposure to the sun
2
a
: to convert (hide) into leather by treatment with an infusion of tannin-rich bark or other agent of similar effect
b
: to convert (protein) to leather or a similar substance
: to get or become tan
tanner; tannest
1
: of the color tan
2
: of, relating to, or used for tan or tanning
1
: a brown color imparted to the skin especially by exposure to the sun
2
: a light yellowish brown
3
tans plural
: tan-colored articles of clothing
4
: a tanning material or its active agent (such as tannin)
tangent
Synonyms
Examples of tan in a Sentence
Adjective
I can't believe how tan she is!
a horse with tan markings
Noun
I got a tan on my vacation.
Recent Examples on the Web
Katie Hunt, CNN, 25 Mar. 2024
Less than 2 percent were frozen, and less than 1 percent were tanned.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Mar. 2024
These are the tanning drops, lotions, serums, and tanning mists that impressed us all-around: ease of application, transfer-resistance, longevity, and overall quality of glow.
—Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 28 Mar. 2024
Risk factors that may contribute to this finding include better awareness of skin cancer, more sun exposure and greater use of tanning salons.
—Joshua Cohen, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024
Joe Flacco is tanned, rested, and ready for a playoff run.
—Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 8 Jan. 2024
Her Bonnie is buoyant and loose, tanned and laughing.
—Jordan Kisner, The Atlantic, 18 Feb. 2024
Commenting on the TikTok trend, New York dermatologist Dr. Fayne Frey, M.D., shared some cautions about the tanning applications.
—Brittany Kasko, Fox News, 14 Feb. 2024
Features: Options include sun decks, tanning ledges, waterfalls, bubblers, fountains, water arcs and zero-entry.
—Angie Hicks, Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2024
Irene Wright, Sacramento Bee, 3 Apr. 2024
The unidentified suspect was last seen wearing blue jeans, a tan Carhartt jacket and either a red or brown hoodie, authorities said.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 15 Mar. 2024
Smirnov, 43, responded to questions from Wright and entered his plea but otherwise sat quietly in a tan jumpsuit and thick black glasses, his head closely shaved.
—Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2024
Phil Oh Let your coat do all of the talking like Karla Martínez de Salas, head of content for Vogue Mexico and Latin America’s, by surrounding it with wardrobe essentials like khaki trousers and a tan handbag.
—Alexis Bennett Parker, Vogue, 23 Feb. 2024
Johnson appeared in a New York courtroom Tuesday wearing a tan sweatsuit with the shirt inside-out and his hands cuffed behind his back.
—Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 2 Apr. 2024
Also within her grid carousel, the Peaky Blinders star included a photo of herself walking through an old cathedral in a tan wedding dress embellished with flowers and birds and a long, floor-sweeping veil.
—Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 2 Apr. 2024
The warm tan hue is softened by the light wooden base of the shoe, and the Toms comfort footbed will help keep you relaxed after hours of wear.
—Wendy Vazquez, Southern Living, 28 Mar. 2024
Who decided that tan skin was better-looking than pale skin?
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 21 Mar. 2024
Averi Baudler, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024
Remember, the idea that a base tan can avoid future sunburns is a big misconception.
—Sarah Klein, Health, 30 Mar. 2024
The clean formula also contains DHA and vitamin skin to treat the natural tone and texture underneath that tan.
—Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 28 Mar. 2024
Gold and metallics will also bode well in tropical settings as alternatives to neutral hues like beige or tan, which may skew too closely to white.
—Shelby Ying Hyde, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2024
Arvada police are investigating a possible missing or abducted child in a gold or tan Honda Accord after multiple people called 911 on Thursday morning to report seeing a girl in distress.
—Katie Langford, The Denver Post, 8 Feb. 2024
The doormats, all tan, are coir, a natural renewable material made of coconut fibers.
—Stacy Downs, Kansas City Star, 30 Jan. 2024
The latest arrivals come in various colors from vibrant light blue, pastel lavender, tan, and black.
—Essence, 1 Apr. 2024
Gyllenhaal, 43, rocked a tweed-style tan suit over a crisp white shirt and burgundy tie.
—Jen Juneau, Peoplemag, 15 Mar. 2024
Verb
Dry, hot conditions dehydrated the brains in a way that mimics the deliberate embalming of mummies, while in acidic peat bogs the body was essentially tanned like leather.
—Katie Hunt, CNN, 25 Mar. 2024
Less than 2 percent were frozen, and less than 1 percent were tanned.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Mar. 2024
These are the tanning drops, lotions, serums, and tanning mists that impressed us all-around: ease of application, transfer-resistance, longevity, and overall quality of glow.
—Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 28 Mar. 2024
Risk factors that may contribute to this finding include better awareness of skin cancer, more sun exposure and greater use of tanning salons.
—Joshua Cohen, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024
Joe Flacco is tanned, rested, and ready for a playoff run.
—Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 8 Jan. 2024
Her Bonnie is buoyant and loose, tanned and laughing.
—Jordan Kisner, The Atlantic, 18 Feb. 2024
Commenting on the TikTok trend, New York dermatologist Dr. Fayne Frey, M.D., shared some cautions about the tanning applications.
—Brittany Kasko, Fox News, 14 Feb. 2024
Features: Options include sun decks, tanning ledges, waterfalls, bubblers, fountains, water arcs and zero-entry.
—Angie Hicks, Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2024
Adjective
The species has reddish-brown claws and front of its body, while the rest of the creature is a tan or lightish brown color, according to the study.
—Irene Wright, Sacramento Bee, 3 Apr. 2024
The unidentified suspect was last seen wearing blue jeans, a tan Carhartt jacket and either a red or brown hoodie, authorities said.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 15 Mar. 2024
Smirnov, 43, responded to questions from Wright and entered his plea but otherwise sat quietly in a tan jumpsuit and thick black glasses, his head closely shaved.
—Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2024
Phil Oh Let your coat do all of the talking like Karla Martínez de Salas, head of content for Vogue Mexico and Latin America’s, by surrounding it with wardrobe essentials like khaki trousers and a tan handbag.
—Alexis Bennett Parker, Vogue, 23 Feb. 2024
Johnson appeared in a New York courtroom Tuesday wearing a tan sweatsuit with the shirt inside-out and his hands cuffed behind his back.
—Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 2 Apr. 2024
Also within her grid carousel, the Peaky Blinders star included a photo of herself walking through an old cathedral in a tan wedding dress embellished with flowers and birds and a long, floor-sweeping veil.
—Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 2 Apr. 2024
The warm tan hue is softened by the light wooden base of the shoe, and the Toms comfort footbed will help keep you relaxed after hours of wear.
—Wendy Vazquez, Southern Living, 28 Mar. 2024
Who decided that tan skin was better-looking than pale skin?
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 21 Mar. 2024
Noun
Grab it in gray like Vergara’s or choose from 10 additional colors, including pink and tan.
—Averi Baudler, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024
Remember, the idea that a base tan can avoid future sunburns is a big misconception.
—Sarah Klein, Health, 30 Mar. 2024
The clean formula also contains DHA and vitamin skin to treat the natural tone and texture underneath that tan.
—Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 28 Mar. 2024
Gold and metallics will also bode well in tropical settings as alternatives to neutral hues like beige or tan, which may skew too closely to white.
—Shelby Ying Hyde, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2024
Arvada police are investigating a possible missing or abducted child in a gold or tan Honda Accord after multiple people called 911 on Thursday morning to report seeing a girl in distress.
—Katie Langford, The Denver Post, 8 Feb. 2024
The doormats, all tan, are coir, a natural renewable material made of coconut fibers.
—Stacy Downs, Kansas City Star, 30 Jan. 2024
The latest arrivals come in various colors from vibrant light blue, pastel lavender, tan, and black.
—Essence, 1 Apr. 2024
Gyllenhaal, 43, rocked a tweed-style tan suit over a crisp white shirt and burgundy tie.
—Jen Juneau, Peoplemag, 15 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tan.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near tan
Cite this Entry
“Tan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tan. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tan
1 of 3 verb
tanned; tanning
1
: to change hide into leather especially by soaking in a tannin solution
2
: to make or become tan or brown especially by exposing to the sun
3
tan
2 of 3 adjective
tanner; tannest
: of the color tan
tan
3 of 3 noun1
: a brown color given to the skin especially by exposure to the sun
2
: a light yellowish brown
tannish
adjective
ˈtan-ish
Medical Definition
tan
1 of 2 verb
tanned; tanning
: to make (skin) tan especially by exposure to the sun
: to get or become tanned
tan
2 of 2 noun
: a brown color imparted to the skin by exposure to the sun or wind
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