spray tan

noun

plural spray tans

: a simulated suntan produced by darkening the skin with a sprayed-on chemical preparation

There's no doubt that, when choosing between a spray tan and actual tanning, the former is a much safer way to achieve a summer glow.

—Zoë Weiner

Someone gave me a gift certificate for a spray tan a few years ago. It left me golden brown with a just a hint of orange, but had an unpleasant odor to it.

—Lori Borgman

also : the chemical preparation used to produce a spray tan

… the cast … went through 200 gallons of spray tan …

—Dave Quinn

Examples of spray tan in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Long and solid false eyelashes should be avoided, as should spray tans that are too dark, have orange tones or overuse contouring and highlighting. — Emily Krauser, PEOPLE, 20 June 2026

The girls are off getting all bare down there, and Zack is getting his spray tan. — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 30 Apr. 2026

Sweeney would get a spray tan, then Davy would mix OFRA Cosmetics RCK Red Carpet Color with Westmore Beauty Body Coverage Perfector, Vita Liberata Body Blur, and Hempz Body Lotion to give her skin an even, in-your-face glow. — Kirbie Johnson, Allure, 13 Apr. 2026

Sunny Nights stars D'Arcy Carden and Will Forte as a pair of siblings trying to launch a spray tan company out of the back of their van, only for things to go from bad to worse when they're blackmailed, indebted to a criminal syndicate, and running for their lives. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 6 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for spray tan

• afghan
• bedpan
• began
• caveman
• chapin
• cyan
• deadpan
• dextran
• divan
• doorman
• fishman
• flagman