black-and-tan

1 of 2

adjective

ˌbla-kən-ˈtan 

1

of a dog's coat : having a predominantly black color pattern with deep red or rusty tan usually on the feet, breeching, and cheek patches, above the eyes, and inside the ears

2

or Black-and-Tan dated, US politics : favoring or practicing proportional representation of Black and white people in politics compare lily-white sense 3

3

US, dated : frequented by both Black and white people

a black-and-tan bar

black and tan

2 of 2

noun

1

: a black-and-tan dog

2

: a drink consisting of a dark beer (such as stout or porter) and ale or beer of a paler color

3

Black and Tan [from the color of his uniform] : a recruit enlisted in England in 1920–21 for service in the Royal Irish Constabulary against the armed movement for Irish independence

Examples of black-and-tan in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

On her afternoon out with friends, Eden stood out in a cherry red blazer, elegant white top, black trousers and black-and-tan wedge sandals. —Catherine Santino, Peoplemag, 24 May 2024

Two-year-old Falcon has some black-and-tan in him with the coat of a German shepherd. —Jamie L. Lareau, Detroit Free Press, 15 Apr. 2024

Noun

With multiple neutral colors (like black and tan) and bold shades (like orange and blue) to choose from, there’s a set for every style. —Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 23 Feb. 2025

According to the report, he was found wearing the black and tan button-down shirt he was last seen wearing, underwear, black socks, his watch and two necklaces. —Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 18 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1786, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1840, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for black-and-tan

• businessman
• canavan
• caravan
• constantan
• dragoman
• fisherman
• handyman
• harmattan
• journeyman
• marianne
• middleman
• minivan