tan line

noun

plural tan lines
: a line that distinguishes a suntan from a paler shade of skin and that shows where an area of skin was covered (as by clothing) when the tanning occurred
While the new swimming costume would, in all possibility, leave your body with bizarre tan lines, celebrities seem to be unperturbed by the after-effects.Reema Gowalla
My dad, Larry—Yogi's oldest son—recently found a tan line beneath the '63 ring he got from his dad.Lindsay Berra

Examples of tan line in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web But Take Note: No sizing options exist for long or short torsos. Strapless suits are a wonderful option for eliminating tan lines in style. Maya Polton Updated, Parents, 10 Aug. 2023 In one close-up shot, the actress wore a thong revealing her rear and giant 3-0 tan lines. Escher Walcott, Peoplemag, 27 Aug. 2023 But Take Note: Be prepared for uneven tan lines thanks to the one-shoulder style. Maya Polton Updated, Parents, 10 Aug. 2023 Navratilova was walking straight through the grounds in a one-piece bathing suit and flip flops, oblivious to stares at her crisscrossing tan lines. Sally Jenkins, Anchorage Daily News, 3 July 2023 Just days into a three-week camp, sunburns had begun to blister, and awkward tan lines marking socks, watches, sleeves and shoe straps were deepening. Emily Cochrane, BostonGlobe.com, 1 July 2023 The strapless silhouette is my go-to for keeping tan lines to a minimum. Harper's BAZAAR, 14 June 2023 The flouncy ruffled top on this gorgeous swimsuit is the best way to avoid tan lines. Emily Shiffer, womenshealthmag.com, 26 Apr. 2023 Beabadoobee View full post on Instagram Bea showed off her tan lines in a camo tube top. Carolyn Twersky, Seventeen, 22 Apr. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tan line.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1944, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tan line was in 1944

Dictionary Entries Near tan line

Cite this Entry

“Tan line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tan%20line. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!