sunburn

1 of 2

verb

sun·​burn ˈsən-ˌbərn 

sunburned ˈsən-ˌbərnd  or sunburnt ˈsən-ˌbərnt  ; sunburning

transitive verb

: to burn or discolor by the sun

intransitive verb

: to become sunburned

sunburn

2 of 2

noun

: inflammation of the skin caused by overexposure to ultraviolet radiation especially from sunlight

Examples of sunburn in a Sentence

Noun

He has a bad sunburn.

Use sunscreen to prevent sunburn.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Be sure to skip areas that have wounds or cuts, as well as areas that are sunburned or already irritated. —Sherri Gordon, Health, 26 Sep. 2025

Thank you for being a lifer, for being a shirtless, sunburned troubadour, for your friendship, your songs and all the laughs. —Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 23 Sep. 2025

Noun

Tree guards are also useful, especially on young trees with thin bark, to prevent sunburn, particularly on the side of the trunk that faces southwest. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 17 Oct. 2025

The inquiry followed a media report alleging Umland touched the tops of a student’s breasts during the trip while applying sunburn treatment in a hotel room, the agency’s records show. —Danielle Duclos, jsonline.com, 17 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

back-formation from sunburned, from sun + burned

First Known Use

Verb

1530, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun

1584, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sunburn

• adjourn
• concern
• decern
• discern
• downturn
• extern
• heartburn
• interne
• nocturne
• return
• unworn
• upturn

Kids Definition

sunburn

1 of 2 verb

sun·​burn -ˌbərn 

sunburned -ˌbərnd  or sunburnt -ˌbərnt  ; sunburning

1

: to burn or discolor by the sun

2

: to become sunburned

sunburn

2 of 2 noun

: a sore red state of the skin caused by too much sunlight

Medical Definition

sunburn

1 of 2 transitive verb

sun·​burn -ˌbərn 

sunburned -ˌbərnd  or sunburnt -ˌbərnt  ; sunburning

: to affect with sunburn

sunburned skin

sunburn

2 of 2 noun

: inflammation of the skin caused by overexposure to ultraviolet radiation especially from sunlight

called also erythema solare