tan

1 of 4

verb

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

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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
The gym also features specials for gym visitors including tanning and hydromassage chairs, according to the Crunch website. Adrienne Davis, Journal Sentinel, 31 Dec. 2024 Their leathers are tanned in Italy, near their factory in Tuscany. Nadja Sayej, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024
Adjective
School employees eventually confiscated it, finding the tan and black semi-automatic handgun inside with 30 rounds of ammunition and an attached laser pointer, charges allege. Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2025 Look to Ralph Lauren for ideas on how to take ’70s sensibilities into the contemporary and drape a shearling jacket over a languid white dress—tan boots add warmth and complete the look. Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 8 Jan. 2025
Noun
Police searched Forty-Four’s vehicle and found: multiple packages of unstamped cigarettes, several bags of marijuana, a tactical satchel containing a tan and silver 9mm SCCY Industries CPX-2 firearm with 11 rounds of ammunition in its magazine, and an undisclosed amount of cash. Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 6 Jan. 2025 Available in black, brown, and tan, the boot is currently 40 percent off. Kelsey Glennon, Travel + Leisure, 18 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for tan 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of tan was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near tan

Cite this Entry

“Tan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tan. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

Kids 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 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
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

More from Merriam-Webster on tan

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!