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 skin tanning process can be different if animals are mammals, reptiles or fish, Jeffers said. —Lizzy Alspach, Baltimore Sun, 21 June 2024

Founded by celebrity tanning artist Isabel Vita, the brand offers tanning mists, mousses and lotions, and also sells at Nordstrom. —Noor Lobad, WWD, 18 June 2024

Adjective

Shop the tote in black, tan, gray heron, calendula, shell pink, and brilliant red. —Kristi Kellogg, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Apr. 2024

As construction workers dug into the tan soil of a historic farm in southern Germany, their project quickly took on a different meaning. —Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 30 May 2024

Noun

According to the survey, 61% of Gen Z believe that sunburns will eventually fade into tans. —Sarah Scott, Parents, 14 June 2024

Gap Linen-Cotton Halter Vest, $34 (Save $36) Alternatively, this Gap pick has a halter neckline and back-baring figuration that’s a dream for those who like to feel sunshine and develop their tan. —Alyssa Grabinski, Peoplemag, 6 June 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