tan

verb

\ ˈtan

tanned; tanning

Definition of tan

(Entry 1 of 4)

transitive verb

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

2a : 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 : thrash, whip

intransitive verb

: to get or become tan

tan

adjective

tanner; tannest

Definition of tan (Entry 2 of 4)

1 : of the color tan

2 : of, relating to, or used for tan or tanning

tan

noun

Definition of tan (Entry 3 of 4)

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

abbreviation

Definition of tan (Entry 4 of 4)

tangent

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about tan

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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: Verb

Love reading while at the beach, but can never find a comfortable way to tan your back at the same time? — Tainaya Nash, House Beautiful, "Read While Lying Down with This Genius Beach Chair," 14 June 2019 Not all of us have time to just tan our vaginas, Shailene! — Sophia Benoit, GQ, "How to Keep Your Relationship Alive with One Text a Day," 16 May 2018 Don’t tan outdoors or in a tanning booth Whether intentional or a mere result of spending too much time outside in the sun (sans sunscreen), having a real tan can cause your spray tan to look unnatural. — Jenn Sinrich, SELF, "11 Things to Avoid Doing Right Before Getting a Spray Tan," 10 Dec. 2018 Made in an Italian factory that used to work exclusively with luxury companies, the leather is vegetable-tanned to improve its look after a few wears. — Stephanie Wu, Town & Country, "The Italian Leather Sandal You'll Wear All Summer," 22 May 2014 My chest is still day-one tanned, but my boobs, underarms, and tummy are as pale as the day I was born. — Georgia Murray, refinery29.com, "I'm A Tanning Virgin — Can The King Of Tan Convert Me?," 27 June 2018 For one, people are still tanning—not just in beds, but also the beach and in the park. — Lauren Valenti, Marie Claire, "The Rate of Deadly Skin Cancer Has Doubled Over the Last Three Decades," 9 June 2015 He was brought into court in a wheelchair, sporting a white beard, glasses, and tan prison garb. — Travis Andersen, BostonGlobe.com, "Convicted sex offender Wayne Chapman ordered held without bail on charges of exposing himself," 9 July 2018 After 25 minutes, the peaches are tanned, caramelized and the skin can be peeled off with a slight tug of the thumb. — Chuck Blount, San Antonio Express-News, "The 4 fruits to put in the smoker, and 5 to avoid," 9 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Von Hep shared a photo to Instagram of a suspiciously tan foot sprouting out from a very, well, not tanned ankle. — Leah Prinzivalli, Allure, "Woman's Foot Self-Tanner Fail Is Going Viral on Instagram," 16 Oct. 2018 The atmosphere is generic international hotel, with the standard-issue minimalist touches: streaky marble bar, mirrored walls, low-slung bar tables with Barcelona-style bench seating in tastefully tan leather. — Fox, Town & Country, "A Table for Mr. Fox," 21 Nov. 2012 This drama is also why the tannest photo of 2018, Selena and Kylie at this year’s Met Gala, was so major, as the two ladies hadn’t been seen together in years. — Mariah Smith, The Cut, "Like Everything, Justin Bieber and Hailey Baldwin’s Relationship Is Connected to the Kardashians," 11 July 2018 In movies, the music industry’s shady opportunists are often cast as overly tan white men with heavy gold chains, who wear their dyed hair teased high. — Aaron Gilbreath, Longreads, "Forced to Perform As Aretha Franklin," 2 July 2018 Police say a black man between 20 and 30 years old driving a newer model, tan four-door sedan was involved in an accident in the parking lot at 1132 Sycamore St., Pendleton, around 12:55 a.m. Sunday. — Avery Jennings, Cincinnati.com, "Cincinnati Police: Man struck woman in face after minor parking lot accident," 10 June 2018 Both wore tinted sunglasses while Dunst, 36, held a hand to her baby bump that was showcased under a knee-length Snyder cashmere dress by Equipment (available here in black) and tan trench coat. — Jen Juneau, PEOPLE.com, "Bumping Along! Pregnant Kirsten Dunst Shows Off Her Baby Belly During Outing with Jesse Plemons," 3 May 2018 Owners Dan and Hannah Carruthers have designed a sleek, European-looking space that’s awash with white and tan hues, giving it a subtle feel without all those neon-bright colors found at American eateries these days. — James Patrick Kelly, idahostatesman, "Special sandwiches: Tasso exhibits global flair with deli fare | Idaho Statesman," 26 Apr. 2018 Authorities said Moore was driving a white and tan Ford F-150 King Ranch pickup registered to his wife. — Barbara Boyer, Philly.com, "South Jersey man charged with murder in 'road rage' incident," 25 Apr. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

After exiting the shade of trees, tubers can choose to float down either side of a grassy peninsula where sunbathers work on their tans. — Patrick Connolly, orlandosentinel.com, "Florida Springs Guide: Rock Springs at Kelly Park," 21 June 2019 For a man who’s to turn a century old in five months, Melnikoff is the picture of vigor with his healthy tan, spry bearing and talkative personality. — Jonathan M. Pitts, baltimoresun.com, "'True fighting soldier' reflects — and returns to France — for 75th anniversary of D-Day invasion," 6 June 2019 Gnats tend to be gray or black, while fruit flies range from light tan to reddish orange and brown. — Natalie Schumann, Country Living, "How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies for Good," 9 May 2019 The stockings are only $7 and come in nude, black, and tan. — Isabel Greenberg, Harper's BAZAAR, "Kate Middleton Has a Genius Hack To Keep Her Shoes and Tights from Slipping," 22 Aug. 2018 Wearing her hair pulled up, she was dressed in a long tan trench coat, scarf, and heels. — Lauren Rearick, Teen Vogue, "Kylie Jenner Dressed as “Captain Marvel” And More of the Weekend’s Stylish Celeb Moments," 29 Apr. 2019 The tan coat with black piping was undoubtedly one the week’s best outerwear moments, especially paired with Browne’s signature red, white, and blue stripes. — Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, "Stranger Things’ Girl Next Door Was Sundance’s Breakout Style Star," 4 Feb. 2019 According to English, Meghan is wearing a tan trench coat by Oscar de la Renta at over £2k, earrings by Kimai, and a black dress by maternity line Hatch at £170. — Katherine J. Igoe, Marie Claire, "Meghan Markle Makes a Surprise Royal Visit Today in an Oscar de la Renta Trench Coat," 10 Jan. 2019 Meanwhile, Princess Beatrice wore a tan coat and flat sandals with her Misha Nonoo skirt. — Amy Mackelden, Harper's BAZAAR, "Meghan Markle and Princess Beatrice Just Twinned in the Same Misha Nonoo Skirt," 22 Sep. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tan.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.