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

There was an abstracted print of swimmers rendered in black and tan, which called to mind a tiger print. —Blue Carreon, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2024

Their coats are dense and waterproof, and their colors are black and tan or liver and tan. —Emily Deletter, USA TODAY, 4 Jan. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1786, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1840, in the meaning defined at sense 1