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
Bailey Schulz, USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2025
Guests who are 21 years of age and older can enjoy other adults-only spaces and amenities like a warming pool, swim-up bars, as well as a tanning pool.
—Carly Caramanna, Travel + Leisure, 21 Feb. 2025
Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 14 Mar. 2025
The rapper wore a tan jumpsuit and was supported by his family – his mother and four of his children.
—Lauryn Overhultz, Fox News, 14 Mar. 2025
Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 18 Mar. 2025
There were numerous shades of blue inspired by the blue skies, crisp whites and tans.
—Lisa Lockwood, WWD, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tan
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Verb
By 2024, the number of U.S. tanning salon establishments dwindled to fewer than 21,000, per IBISWorld.
—Bailey Schulz, USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2025
Guests who are 21 years of age and older can enjoy other adults-only spaces and amenities like a warming pool, swim-up bars, as well as a tanning pool.
—Carly Caramanna, Travel + Leisure, 21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
Wearing tan prison garb and sporting a newly gray head of hair and beard, Combs, 55, denied the new allegations included in a superseding indictment prosecutors filed in March.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 14 Mar. 2025
The rapper wore a tan jumpsuit and was supported by his family – his mother and four of his children.
—Lauryn Overhultz, Fox News, 14 Mar. 2025
Noun
Instead of strictly wearing tans and blacks, And Other Stories is for those who aren’t afraid to wear colors, textures, and patterns that are a breath of fresh air.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 18 Mar. 2025
There were numerous shades of blue inspired by the blue skies, crisp whites and tans.
—Lisa Lockwood, WWD, 13 Mar. 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 22 Mar. 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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