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
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
Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
Actions that usually wouldn’t merit a second thought — taking a shower, going on a road trip, tanning — are suddenly imbued with life-or-death significance.
—Gayle Sequeira, Vulture, 16 May 2025
Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025
The new species is described as having tan fur with reddish-brown and golden sections and a forearm length of just under an inch and a half, the study said.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 28 May 2025
Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2025
Instead of relying on clichés like big hair and fake tans (RHONJ) or blonde hair and less fake tans (RHOC andRHOBH and RHOM), the series will have to be about the next-best thing: generational trauma.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for tan
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Verb
And if services are bundled, the portion attributable to tanning is taxable.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
Actions that usually wouldn’t merit a second thought — taking a shower, going on a road trip, tanning — are suddenly imbued with life-or-death significance.
—Gayle Sequeira, Vulture, 16 May 2025
Adjective
Hammond Police were called at 3:35 a.m. Oct. 7, 2021, to the 700 block of Locust Street where a man shot in the head was slumped over in the passenger seat of a tan Honda Civic.
—Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025
The new species is described as having tan fur with reddish-brown and golden sections and a forearm length of just under an inch and a half, the study said.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 28 May 2025
Noun
On display were new jackets, a T-shirt and a crew neck sweatshirt, all in original designs featuring yellow, brown, gold, tan and camouflage colors.
—Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2025
Instead of relying on clichés like big hair and fake tans (RHONJ) or blonde hair and less fake tans (RHOC andRHOBH and RHOM), the series will have to be about the next-best thing: generational trauma.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for tan
Cite this Entry
“Tan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tan. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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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