tan

1 of 4

verb

tanned; tanning

transitive verb

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
3

intransitive verb

: to get or become tan

tan

2 of 4

adjective

tanner; tannest
1
: of the color tan
2
: of, relating to, or used for tan or tanning

tan

3 of 4

noun

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)

tan

4 of 4

abbreviation

tangent

Examples of tan in a Sentence

Verb Grandpa told us that when he was a kid, if he misbehaved at all, his father would tan his backside with a belt a time when children were routinely tanned for misbehavior 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
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.
Verb
Red Antler processed the meat for him, the hide is being tanned, and the skull mounted. Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 3 Sep. 2025 The girl descends to where light stops reflecting secrets tanning beneath the sun. Thea Matthews, The Atlantic, 31 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Sean has gone to the clinic, a simple tan and brown building tucked a short drive down Franklin Street off of Eagle Road, for the antivirals for a year. Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 5 Sep. 2025 Swift accessorized with tan sandal heels and gold jewelry, including her go-to Cartier Santos Demoiselle watch, which retails for a whopping $17,870. Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Noun
In between is a huge chessboard for honing skills of strategy and guile while catching a tan. Mark David, Robb Report, 4 Sep. 2025 Gopher snakes tend to be tan-colored with large square brown blotches or saddles along their backs and smaller gray spots on their sides. Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tan

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English tannen, from Anglo-French tanner, from Medieval Latin tannare, from tanum, tannum tanbark

Noun

French, tanbark, from Old French, from Medieval Latin tanum

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2a

Adjective

1586, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1674, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Time Traveler
The first known use of tan was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tan. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids 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 noun
1
: a brown color given to the skin especially by exposure to the sun
2
: a light yellowish brown
tannish
ˈtan-ish
adjective

Medical Definition

tan

1 of 2 verb
tanned; tanning

transitive verb

: to make (skin) tan especially by exposure to the sun

intransitive verb

: to get or become tanned

tan

2 of 2 noun
: a brown color imparted to the skin by exposure to the sun or wind

More from Merriam-Webster on tan

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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