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

The whiskey is then finished in ruby and tawny port barrels, the defining feature of this particular expression, and is bottled without chill filtration at 98.6 proof. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 10 Oct. 2025

Names such as Kopke, Graham’s, Taylor’s, and Sandeman have been here for centuries, the long-standing winemakers aging ruby and tawny ports in cavernous cellars. —AFAR Media, 2 Oct. 2025

Noun

The dropping, distant tawny on the far side of Coombe Wood. —Literary Hub, 19 Sep. 2025

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

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