tan

1 of 4

verb

ˈtan 

tanned; tanning

transitive verb

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

3

: thrash, whip

intransitive verb

: to get or become tan

tan

2 of 4

adjective

tanner; tannest

1

: of the color tan

2

: of, relating to, or used for tan or tanning

tan

3 of 4

noun

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)

tan

4 of 4

abbreviation

tangent

Synonyms

Verb

• birch
• cowhide
• flagellate
• flail
• flog
• hide
• horsewhip
• lash
• leather
• rawhide
• scourge
• slash
• switch
• thrash
• whale
• whip

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

Verb

The makeup department used Cohn’s desire to be tanned as a device to show his sickness taking a toll on his body. —Beatrice Verhoeven, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Dec. 2024

An influx of tanning lotion, leopard print and flip-flops straight from the Jersey Shore is headed toward Nashville this weekend. —Hadley Hitson, The Tennessean, 17 Sep. 2024

Adjective

The overall look keeps this week’s geek chic theme going: Hadid was spotted just yesterday in another pair of studious specs, and again in a co-ord, with a tan suede blazer and matching flared trousers. —Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 14 Dec. 2024

The toddler can be seen wearing a tan sweat set, a pink fuzzy jacket, and a large, pink bow on her head while smiling big with the picture in hand. —Emma Aerin Becker, People.com, 6 Dec. 2024

Noun

These colorful summer flowers evolve into the perfect color for fall, adding textural interest and a pretty palette of light browns and tan to the garden. —Heather Bien, Southern Living, 15 Dec. 2024

The concentrated tan drops use nourishing ingredients like grapefruit, chia seed, and avocado oils to keep the skin hydrated and deliver a long-lasting tan. —Claire Rutter, Rolling Stone, 5 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English tannen, from Anglo-French tanner, from Medieval Latin tannare, from tanum, tannum tanbark

Noun

French, tanbark, from Old French, from Medieval Latin tanum

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2a

Adjective

1586, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1674, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Phrases Containing tan

• black and tan
• black-and-tan coonhound
• fan-tan
• spray tan
• tan line
• tan oak
• tan someone's hide

Kids Definition

tan

1 of 3 verb

ˈtan 

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

: thrash sense 2a, whip

tan

2 of 3 adjective

tanner; tannest

: of the color tan

tan

3 of 3 noun

1

: a brown color given to the skin especially by exposure to the sun

2

: a light yellowish brown

tannish

ˈtan-ish

adjective

Medical Definition

tan

1 of 2 verb

ˈtan 

tanned; tanning

transitive verb

: to make (skin) tan especially by exposure to the sun

intransitive verb

: to get or become tanned

tan

2 of 2 noun

: a brown color imparted to the skin by exposure to the sun or wind