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
Verb
Grandpa told us that when he was a kid, if he misbehaved at all, his father would tan his backside with a belt
a time when children were routinely tanned for misbehavior
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
Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 1 Aug. 2024
At a table near mine, an older man with an astonishingly unlined and tanned face asked about an A.T.M.—Sal’s is cash only—and Carew waved her hand dismissively and told him to come back and pay tomorrow.
—Hannah Goldfield, The New Yorker, 22 July 2024
Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 15 Aug. 2024
The reality star added on a pair of tan suede flares and a matching Hermès Birkin.
—Hannah Malach, WWD, 15 Aug. 2024
Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Aug. 2024
The brown and tan of the bag also softened the more graphic black and white of the shorts and jacket.
—Kerry Pieri, WWD, 2 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tan 
Verb
Melanin supplements, such as tanning shots or tanning accelerators, are not effective or approved and may be dangerous.
—Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 1 Aug. 2024
At a table near mine, an older man with an astonishingly unlined and tanned face asked about an A.T.M.—Sal’s is cash only—and Carew waved her hand dismissively and told him to come back and pay tomorrow.
—Hannah Goldfield, The New Yorker, 22 July 2024
Adjective
One suspect bore a distinctive facial tattoo, and the getaway car was identified as a 2018 black Infiniti Q50 sedan with a tan interior.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 15 Aug. 2024
The reality star added on a pair of tan suede flares and a matching Hermès Birkin.
—Hannah Malach, WWD, 15 Aug. 2024
Noun
One of her favorite shades of warm white is Blank Canvas, which works beautifully as an all-over wall color or as a trim color when paired with other warm neutrals, beiges, and tans.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Aug. 2024
The brown and tan of the bag also softened the more graphic black and white of the shorts and jacket.
—Kerry Pieri, WWD, 2 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tan
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 Aug. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share