tanned; tanning
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
: to get or become tan
tanner; tannest
1
: of the color tan
2
: of, relating to, or used for tan or tanning
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)
tangent
Synonyms
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
Katie Hunt, CNN, 25 Mar. 2024
Less than 2 percent were frozen, and less than 1 percent were tanned.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Mar. 2024
These are the tanning drops, lotions, serums, and tanning mists that impressed us all-around: ease of application, transfer-resistance, longevity, and overall quality of glow.
—Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 28 Mar. 2024
Risk factors that may contribute to this finding include better awareness of skin cancer, more sun exposure and greater use of tanning salons.
—Joshua Cohen, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024
Joe Flacco is tanned, rested, and ready for a playoff run.
—Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 8 Jan. 2024
Her Bonnie is buoyant and loose, tanned and laughing.
—Jordan Kisner, The Atlantic, 18 Feb. 2024
Commenting on the TikTok trend, New York dermatologist Dr. Fayne Frey, M.D., shared some cautions about the tanning applications.
—Brittany Kasko, Fox News, 14 Feb. 2024
Features: Options include sun decks, tanning ledges, waterfalls, bubblers, fountains, water arcs and zero-entry.
—Angie Hicks, Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2024
Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 2 Apr. 2024
Also within her grid carousel, the Peaky Blinders star included a photo of herself walking through an old cathedral in a tan wedding dress embellished with flowers and birds and a long, floor-sweeping veil.
—Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 2 Apr. 2024
The warm tan hue is softened by the light wooden base of the shoe, and the Toms comfort footbed will help keep you relaxed after hours of wear.
—Wendy Vazquez, Southern Living, 28 Mar. 2024
Who decided that tan skin was better-looking than pale skin?
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 21 Mar. 2024
Ardor Nail Polish Chanel Longwear Nail Colour Zoya Nail Lacquer
Olive & June
CV Long Lasting Polish
For Tan to Dark Skin
Speaking of keeping things neutral, neutral red tones can also really pop against tan skin, says Edwards, as well as velvet tones.
—Audrey Noble, Vogue, 20 Mar. 2024
This park is an option for locals looking for an open space to ride a bike, take kids to a playground, lay on the grass and get tan, walk around Mission Bay, grab something to eat or sip on an adult beverage.
—Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2024
Renderings show the development will feature light tan brick on the outside and big, open windows and balconies.
—The Enquirer, 21 Mar. 2024
The tan and white space also features extensive woodwork—including a shawl panel that is the largest continuous wood section ever seen in a Rolls—that took 8,000 hours to complete.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 29 Feb. 2024
Essence, 1 Apr. 2024
Gyllenhaal, 43, rocked a tweed-style tan suit over a crisp white shirt and burgundy tie.
—Jen Juneau, Peoplemag, 15 Mar. 2024
This technique yielded pictures that suggest a spectator’s movement through vast expanses of tans and browns, or layers of rock built up and worn down by millennia.
—Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 23 Feb. 2024
Brown or tan, typically used to paint Texas ranch homes, keeps the focus on the landscape and bright blue skies rather than the house.
—Zoe Gowen, Southern Living, 23 Feb. 2024
Soon my weekly lesson with the new pro in the Hamptons—a kind, warm, cute, and funny guy with an awe-inspiring tan—was the only thing getting me from nap time to bedtime.
—Zibby Owens, Vogue, 12 Feb. 2024
The helpers In Herriman, tidy rows of houses sprawl in tans and bluish-grays, the same colors seen in a nearby mountain range.
—Sarah Matusek, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 Mar. 2024
Choose from neutrals like white, gray, and tan, or opt for more vivid solids like mint green and lavender.
—Jamie Allison Sanders, Peoplemag, 7 Mar. 2024
The dreamy collection includes overcoats, jackets, shirts and dresses in pale pink with tan, and dark brown, sometimes with a pretty applique of petals or jewels.
—Joanne Shurvell, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024
Verb
Dry, hot conditions dehydrated the brains in a way that mimics the deliberate embalming of mummies, while in acidic peat bogs the body was essentially tanned like leather.
—Katie Hunt, CNN, 25 Mar. 2024
Less than 2 percent were frozen, and less than 1 percent were tanned.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Mar. 2024
These are the tanning drops, lotions, serums, and tanning mists that impressed us all-around: ease of application, transfer-resistance, longevity, and overall quality of glow.
—Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 28 Mar. 2024
Risk factors that may contribute to this finding include better awareness of skin cancer, more sun exposure and greater use of tanning salons.
—Joshua Cohen, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024
Joe Flacco is tanned, rested, and ready for a playoff run.
—Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 8 Jan. 2024
Her Bonnie is buoyant and loose, tanned and laughing.
—Jordan Kisner, The Atlantic, 18 Feb. 2024
Commenting on the TikTok trend, New York dermatologist Dr. Fayne Frey, M.D., shared some cautions about the tanning applications.
—Brittany Kasko, Fox News, 14 Feb. 2024
Features: Options include sun decks, tanning ledges, waterfalls, bubblers, fountains, water arcs and zero-entry.
—Angie Hicks, Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2024
Adjective
Johnson appeared in a New York courtroom Tuesday wearing a tan sweatsuit with the shirt inside-out and his hands cuffed behind his back.
—Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 2 Apr. 2024
Also within her grid carousel, the Peaky Blinders star included a photo of herself walking through an old cathedral in a tan wedding dress embellished with flowers and birds and a long, floor-sweeping veil.
—Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 2 Apr. 2024
The warm tan hue is softened by the light wooden base of the shoe, and the Toms comfort footbed will help keep you relaxed after hours of wear.
—Wendy Vazquez, Southern Living, 28 Mar. 2024
Who decided that tan skin was better-looking than pale skin?
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 21 Mar. 2024
Ardor Nail Polish Chanel Longwear Nail Colour Zoya Nail Lacquer
Olive & June
CV Long Lasting Polish
For Tan to Dark Skin
Speaking of keeping things neutral, neutral red tones can also really pop against tan skin, says Edwards, as well as velvet tones.
—Audrey Noble, Vogue, 20 Mar. 2024
This park is an option for locals looking for an open space to ride a bike, take kids to a playground, lay on the grass and get tan, walk around Mission Bay, grab something to eat or sip on an adult beverage.
—Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2024
Renderings show the development will feature light tan brick on the outside and big, open windows and balconies.
—The Enquirer, 21 Mar. 2024
The tan and white space also features extensive woodwork—including a shawl panel that is the largest continuous wood section ever seen in a Rolls—that took 8,000 hours to complete.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 29 Feb. 2024
Noun
The latest arrivals come in various colors from vibrant light blue, pastel lavender, tan, and black.
—Essence, 1 Apr. 2024
Gyllenhaal, 43, rocked a tweed-style tan suit over a crisp white shirt and burgundy tie.
—Jen Juneau, Peoplemag, 15 Mar. 2024
This technique yielded pictures that suggest a spectator’s movement through vast expanses of tans and browns, or layers of rock built up and worn down by millennia.
—Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 23 Feb. 2024
Brown or tan, typically used to paint Texas ranch homes, keeps the focus on the landscape and bright blue skies rather than the house.
—Zoe Gowen, Southern Living, 23 Feb. 2024
Soon my weekly lesson with the new pro in the Hamptons—a kind, warm, cute, and funny guy with an awe-inspiring tan—was the only thing getting me from nap time to bedtime.
—Zibby Owens, Vogue, 12 Feb. 2024
The helpers In Herriman, tidy rows of houses sprawl in tans and bluish-grays, the same colors seen in a nearby mountain range.
—Sarah Matusek, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 Mar. 2024
Choose from neutrals like white, gray, and tan, or opt for more vivid solids like mint green and lavender.
—Jamie Allison Sanders, Peoplemag, 7 Mar. 2024
The dreamy collection includes overcoats, jackets, shirts and dresses in pale pink with tan, and dark brown, sometimes with a pretty applique of petals or jewels.
—Joanne Shurvell, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tan.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near tan
Cite this Entry
“Tan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tan. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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 noun1
: a brown color given to the skin especially by exposure to the sun
2
: a light yellowish brown
tannish
adjective
ˈtan-ish
Medical Definition
tan
1 of 2 verb
tanned; tanning
: to make (skin) tan especially by exposure to the sun
: to get or become tanned
tan
2 of 2 noun
: a brown color imparted to the skin by exposure to the sun or wind
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