brown

1 of 3

adjective

ˈbrau̇n 

1

a

: having the color of wood or chocolate

especially : of the color brown (see brown entry 2 sense 1)

a brown cow

brown eyes and hair

as brown as the oak leaves

b

: having dark or tanned skin

Their hands and faces were brown from long days in the sun.

2

or less commonly Brown : of or relating to any of various population groups considered as having medium pigmentation of the skin

Black and brown Americans

brown

2 of 3

noun

plural browns

1

: any of a group of colors between red and yellow in hue, of medium to low lightness, and of moderate to low saturation

2

browns or less commonly Browns plural : people belonging to any of various population groups considered as having medium pigmentation of the skin

Note: The plural noun browns is used mostly in phrases referring to multiple population groups.

3

: brown trout

brownish

ˈbrau̇-nish 

adjective

browny

ˈbrau̇-nē 

adjective

brown

3 of 3

verb

browned; browning; browns

intransitive verb

: to become brown

transitive verb

: to make brown

Examples of brown in a Sentence

Adjective

workers whose backs are brown from long hours in the sun

Noun

The room was decorated in brown.

a mix of browns and reds

Verb

Brown the chicken in a pan with butter.

Her skin was browned by the sun.

The chicken is browning in the oven.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

According to naval records, Paul Gauguin’s eyes were brown. —Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 May 2025

And in summer 2025, a new shade is quickly gaining popularity: mocha brown. —René Chávez Esparza, Glamour, 16 May 2025

Noun

Bake in preheated oven 25-30 minutes, until pie is golden brown and a knife inserted in the center of the casserole comes out clean. —Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 16 May 2025

Bake until the crust is light golden brown, about 25 minutes. —Ellen Gray, Saveur, 15 May 2025

Verb

Reduce the heat if the chicken splatters too much or browns too quickly. —The New York Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 May 2025

Bake for about 15 minutes until lightly browned and let cool completely. —Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English broun, from Old English brūn; akin to Old High German brūn brown, Greek phrynē toad

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing brown

• big brown bat
• brown alga
• brown bagging
• brown bear
• brown Betty
• brown bread
• brown coal
• brown dog tick
• brown dwarf
• brown earth
• brown-eyed Susan
• brown fat
• brown-headed cowbird
• brown lung
• brown pelican
• brown rat
• brown recluse spider
• brown rice
• brown rot
• brown sauce
• brown study
• brown sugar
• brown-tail moth
• brown tree snake
• brown trout
• golden-brown alga
• little brown bat
• nut-brown
• Vandyke brown

Rhymes for brown

• bown
• clown
• crown
• drown
• frown
• gown
• lown
• noun
• town
• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown

Kids Definition

brown

1 of 3 adjective

ˈbrau̇n 

1

: of the color brown

2

: of dark or tanned complexion

3

: of or relating to any of various population groups considered to have medium skin color

brown

2 of 3 noun

: a color like that of coffee or chocolate that is a blend of red and yellow darkened by black

brownish

ˈbrau̇-nish 

adjective

brown

3 of 3 verb

: to make or become brown

Biographical Definition

Brown 1 of 7

biographical name (1)

ˈbrau̇n 

Charles Brockden 1771–1810 American novelist

Brown

2 of 7

biographical name (2)

Ford Mad*ox ˈma-dəks  1821–1893 English painter

Brown

3 of 7

biographical name (3)

George 1818–1880 Canadian (Scottish-born) journalist and politician

Brown

4 of 7

biographical name (4)

(James) Gordon 1951–     British prime minister (2007–10)

Brown

5 of 7

biographical name (5)

James (Joseph) 1933–2006 American singer and songwriter

Brown

6 of 7

biographical name (6)

John 1800–1859 Old Brown of Osawatomie ˌō-sə-ˈwä-tə-mē  American abolitionist

Brown

7 of 7

biographical name (7)

Michael Stuart 1941–     American biochemist