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
Synonyms
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
Tim Madigan, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Oct. 2024
Girls dab Coca-cola onto their skin as tanning lotion.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 1 Sep. 2024
Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 5 Nov. 2024
Bush was last seen in the passenger seat of an older, tan pickup in Maysville on Oct. 31, 2022, according to the Benton County sheriff's office.
—Tracy Neal, arkansasonline.com, 16 Oct. 2024
Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2024
But the more important takeaway from his initial appearance is that Kornacki has chosen to wear gray pants, not his usual tan, and a gray-and-black striped tie.
—Jen Chaney, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tan 
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Verb
Women would have been at work tanning hides for tepees, moccasins, shirts and breeches, and drying and curing meat for the coming northern winter.
—Tim Madigan, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Oct. 2024
Girls dab Coca-cola onto their skin as tanning lotion.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 1 Sep. 2024
Adjective
The second hashtag also referenced the former President calling out Barack Obama for wearing a tan suit in 2014 and Harris doing the same at the Democratic National Convention in August.
—Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 5 Nov. 2024
Bush was last seen in the passenger seat of an older, tan pickup in Maysville on Oct. 31, 2022, according to the Benton County sheriff's office.
—Tracy Neal, arkansasonline.com, 16 Oct. 2024
Noun
Roger, a 6-year-old tan and white Kangal shepherd mix, was put on the euthanasia list this fall.
—Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2024
But the more important takeaway from his initial appearance is that Kornacki has chosen to wear gray pants, not his usual tan, and a gray-and-black striped tie.
—Jen Chaney, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tan
Dictionary Entries Near tan
Cite this Entry
“Tan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tan. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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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