tawny

1 of 2

adjective

taw·​ny ˈtȯ-nē 

ˈtä-nē

tawnier; tawniest

1

: of the color tawny

2

: of a warm sandy color

the lion's tawny coat

tawniness noun

tawny

2 of 2

noun

plural tawnies

: a brownish-orange to light brown color

Synonyms

Adjective

• blond
• blonde

Examples of tawny in a Sentence

Adjective

the tawny coat of a lion

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

As readers of Debrett’s know, a seasoned butler instinctively understands their employers' preferences without being told: when to serve the tawny port, booking the right table, that suit needs to be packed for a trip. —Matteo Atti, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025

The textured, soft material adds rich dimension to earth tones like chocolate brown and tawny orange, a slightly more relaxed take on quiet luxury. —Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 7 Aug. 2025

Noun

Kylie Jenner was strutting through the marble halls of the Petit Palais trying to find her seat for Schiaparelli, shoehorned into spiky stilettos and a black velvet one-arm gown, a full-size tawny lion’s head jutting from the side. —Vanessa Friedman, New York Times, 25 Jan. 2023

With black markings around his eyes and framing his white muzzle, the tawny, sleek lion was often caught on wildlife cameras mid-prowl. —Justine McDaniel, Washington Post, 17 Dec. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Anglo-French tané, tauné, literally, tanned, from past participle of tanner to tan

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tawny

• bonnie
• bonny
• brawny
• connie
• johnnie
• johnny
• mani
• rani
• scrawny
• afghani
• fulani
• romani

Kids Definition

tawny

1 of 2 adjective

taw·​ny ˈtȯ-nē 

ˈtän-ē

tawnier; tawniest

: of the color tawny

tawniness noun

tawny

2 of 2 noun

plural tawnies

: a brownish orange to light brown color