1
a
: having the color of wood or chocolate
especially
: of the color brown (see brown entry 2 sense 1)
a brown cow
brown eyes and hair
as brown as the oak leaves
b
: having dark or tanned skin
Their hands and faces were brown from long days in the sun.
2
or less commonly Brown
: of or relating to any of various population groups considered as having medium pigmentation of the skin
Black and brown Americans
plural browns
1
: any of a group of colors between red and yellow in hue, of medium to low lightness, and of moderate to low saturation
2
browns or less commonly Browns plural
: people belonging to any of various population groups considered as having medium pigmentation of the skin
Note: The plural noun browns is used mostly in phrases referring to multiple population groups.
3
browned; browning; browns
: to become brown
: to make brown
Examples of brown in a Sentence
Adjective
workers whose backs are brown from long hours in the sun
Noun
The room was decorated in brown.
a mix of browns and reds
Verb
Brown the chicken in a pan with butter.
Her skin was browned by the sun.
The chicken is browning in the oven.
Recent Examples on the Web
Christina Coulter, Fox News, 12 Apr. 2024
The demilitarized zones offering aid and food are largely run by and populated with black and brown people.
—Richard Newby, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Apr. 2024
This collection’s proceeds will be donated to Commonsense Childbirth, a nonprofit that provides accessible, safe, and equitable pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care focusing on Black and brown people.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 12 Apr. 2024
Grab a pair in sizes 5.5 through 12 and in 22 colors, including go-to neutrals, like black and brown, plus statement-makers like metallic silver and bright red.
—Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 12 Apr. 2024
She is described as a 5-foot, 120 pound Hispanic female with brown hair and brown eyes.
—Julianna O'Clair, The Denver Post, 10 Apr. 2024
As the crowd whoops and wows its appreciation at the spectacle, Sylvester turns to me again, his brown eyes no longer hidden by dark plastic panes.
—Simon Montlake, The Christian Science Monitor, 9 Apr. 2024
The song’s title aptly appears in dark brown lettering in the left corner.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 9 Apr. 2024
Another snake appears more grass green in color with darker brown spots.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2024
Alice Li, Washington Post, 13 Apr. 2024
Inside, The Wise Guy is darker than the Rieger was — lots of browns and reds.
—David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2024
Boogers can be yellow, green, or brown because of the particles that get trapped.
—Maggie O'Neill, Health, 7 Apr. 2024
So, the company has earned the right to take a little creative license, as it’s done here by crafting a reversible cotton trench that swings from solid brown to oversized checks.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 3 Apr. 2024
Jesus was depicted as a man of color — somewhere between brown and Black — and so were his disciples.
—John Blake, CNN, 31 Mar. 2024
Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake until the edges of the cake are golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean, 55 minutes to 1 hour.
—Kate Bradshaw, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2024
Bake in preheated oven until cake is golden brown and a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 50 to 60 minutes.
—Marianne Williams, Southern Living, 2 Apr. 2024
Bake for 15 to 23 minutes, or until the edges turn deep golden brown and the centers are firm.
—Melissa Clark, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2024
Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 14 Apr. 2024
Add the chorizo and cook until browned on all sides.
—Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024
High heat flux means a crisp crust will develop quickly before water escapes – the ultimate enemy of browning and crisiping.
—Maxwell Zeff / Gizmodo, Quartz, 1 Apr. 2024
Flip the steak over, season with salt and pepper, and cook until the other side is browned, another 3 minutes or so.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Mar. 2024
Here’s some essential reading: 5 tips for cooking juicy pork chops quickly
6 tips for browning food to get more flavor
7 pie crust tips for tender, flaky results every time
Baking spices add complexity to savory dishes.
—Aaron Hutcherson, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2024
Our tester noted some browning and shriveling, but was pleasantly surprised by what a difference a few hours in water made.
—Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 21 Mar. 2024
For a dramatic and delicious effect, use a small kitchen torch to brown the marshmallows topping.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 28 Mar. 2024
Bake 1 pan at a time in oven until cookies are just starting to brown at the edges but are still soft to the touch, 20 to 22 minutes.
—Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 28 Mar. 2024
Adjective
Elijah is Hmong and White with dark blonde hair and brown eyes.
—Christina Coulter, Fox News, 12 Apr. 2024
The demilitarized zones offering aid and food are largely run by and populated with black and brown people.
—Richard Newby, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Apr. 2024
This collection’s proceeds will be donated to Commonsense Childbirth, a nonprofit that provides accessible, safe, and equitable pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care focusing on Black and brown people.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 12 Apr. 2024
Grab a pair in sizes 5.5 through 12 and in 22 colors, including go-to neutrals, like black and brown, plus statement-makers like metallic silver and bright red.
—Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 12 Apr. 2024
She is described as a 5-foot, 120 pound Hispanic female with brown hair and brown eyes.
—Julianna O'Clair, The Denver Post, 10 Apr. 2024
As the crowd whoops and wows its appreciation at the spectacle, Sylvester turns to me again, his brown eyes no longer hidden by dark plastic panes.
—Simon Montlake, The Christian Science Monitor, 9 Apr. 2024
The song’s title aptly appears in dark brown lettering in the left corner.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 9 Apr. 2024
Another snake appears more grass green in color with darker brown spots.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2024
Noun
The flowers have filled a place best known for its shades of browns and grays with brilliant blasts of yellow and purple and sprinkles of pink and cream.
—Alice Li, Washington Post, 13 Apr. 2024
Inside, The Wise Guy is darker than the Rieger was — lots of browns and reds.
—David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2024
Boogers can be yellow, green, or brown because of the particles that get trapped.
—Maggie O'Neill, Health, 7 Apr. 2024
So, the company has earned the right to take a little creative license, as it’s done here by crafting a reversible cotton trench that swings from solid brown to oversized checks.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 3 Apr. 2024
Jesus was depicted as a man of color — somewhere between brown and Black — and so were his disciples.
—John Blake, CNN, 31 Mar. 2024
Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake until the edges of the cake are golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean, 55 minutes to 1 hour.
—Kate Bradshaw, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2024
Bake in preheated oven until cake is golden brown and a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 50 to 60 minutes.
—Marianne Williams, Southern Living, 2 Apr. 2024
Bake for 15 to 23 minutes, or until the edges turn deep golden brown and the centers are firm.
—Melissa Clark, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2024
Verb
Add squash, carrots and parsnips to Dutch oven, and reduce heat to medium; cook, stirring occasionally, until squash is browned on edges, 3 to 5 minutes.
—Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 14 Apr. 2024
Add the chorizo and cook until browned on all sides.
—Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024
High heat flux means a crisp crust will develop quickly before water escapes – the ultimate enemy of browning and crisiping.
—Maxwell Zeff / Gizmodo, Quartz, 1 Apr. 2024
Flip the steak over, season with salt and pepper, and cook until the other side is browned, another 3 minutes or so.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Mar. 2024
Here’s some essential reading: 5 tips for cooking juicy pork chops quickly
6 tips for browning food to get more flavor
7 pie crust tips for tender, flaky results every time
Baking spices add complexity to savory dishes.
—Aaron Hutcherson, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2024
Our tester noted some browning and shriveling, but was pleasantly surprised by what a difference a few hours in water made.
—Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 21 Mar. 2024
For a dramatic and delicious effect, use a small kitchen torch to brown the marshmallows topping.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 28 Mar. 2024
Bake 1 pan at a time in oven until cookies are just starting to brown at the edges but are still soft to the touch, 20 to 22 minutes.
—Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 28 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'brown.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English broun, from Old English brūn; akin to Old High German brūn brown, Greek phrynē toad
First Known Use
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense
Time Traveler
The first known use of brown was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing brown
Dictionary Entries Near brown
Cite this Entry
“Brown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brown. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
brown
1 of 3 adjective1
: of the color brown
2
: of dark or tanned complexion
brown
2 of 3 noun
: a color like that of coffee or chocolate that is a blend of red and yellow darkened by black
brown
3 of 3 verb
: to make or become brown
Biographical Definition
Brown
2 of 7biographical name (2)
Ford Mad*ox
ˈma-dəks 
1821–1893 English painter
1821–1893 English painter
Brown
3 of 7biographical name (3)
George 1818–1880 Canadian (Scottish-born) journalist and politician
Brown
4 of 7biographical name (4)
(James) Gordon 1951– British prime minister (2007–10)
Brown
5 of 7biographical name (5)
James (Joseph) 1933–2006 American singer and songwriter
Brown
6 of 7biographical name (6)
John 1800–1859
Old Brown of Osawatomie
ˌō-sə-ˈwä-tə-mē
American abolitionist
American abolitionist
Brown
7 of 7biographical name (7)
Michael Stuart 1941– American biochemist
More from Merriam-Webster on brown
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for brown
Nglish: Translation of brown for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of brown for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about brown
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