Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense tans, present participle tanning, past tense, past participle tanned
1. singular noun
If you have a tan, your skin has become darker than usual because you have been in the sun.
She is tall and blonde, with a permanent tan.
2. verb
If a part of your body tans or if you tan it, your skin becomes darker than usual because you spend a lot of time in the sun.
I have very pale skin that never tans. [VERB]
I don't tan. [VERB]
Leigh rolled over on her stomach to tan her back. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: brown, bronze, go brown, become suntanned More Synonyms of tan
tannedadjective
Their skin was tanned and glowing from their weeks at the seaside.
3. colour
Something that is tan is a light brown colour.
...a tan leather jacket.
4. verb
To tan animal skins means to make them into leather by treating them with tannin or other chemicals.
...the process of tanning animal hides. [VERB noun]
More Synonyms of tan
tan in British English1
(tæn)
noun
1.
the brown colour produced by the skin after intensive exposure to ultraviolet rays, esp those of the sun
2.
a light or moderate yellowish-brown colour
3. short for tanbark
verbWord forms: tans, tanning or tanned
4.
to go brown or cause to go brown after exposure to ultraviolet rays
she tans easily
5.
to convert (a skin or hide) into leather by treating it with a tanning agent, such as vegetable tannins, chromium salts, fish oils, or formaldehyde
6. (transitive) slang
to beat or flog
adjectiveWord forms: tanner or tannest
7.
of the colour tan
tan gloves
8.
used in or relating to tanning
Derived forms
tannable (ˈtannable)
adjective
tannish (ˈtannish)
adjective
Word origin
Old English tannian (unattested as infinitive, attested as getanned, past participle), from Medieval Latin tannāre, from tannum tanbark, perhaps of Celtic origin; compare Irish tana thin
tan in British English2
(tæn)
abbreviation for
tangent (sense 2)
tan in American English1
(tæn)
noun
1.
tanbark
2.
tannin or a solution made from it, used to tan leather
3.
a yellowish-brown color
4.
a darkening of the skin as by exposure to the sun or a sunlamp
adjectiveWord forms: ˈtanner or ˈtannest
5.
of or for tanning
6.
yellowish-brown; tawny
verb transitiveWord forms: tanned or ˈtanning
7.
to change (hide) into leather by soaking in tannin
8.
to produce a tan color in, as by exposure to the sun
9. Informal
to whip severely; flog
verb intransitive
10.
to become tanned
Idioms:
tan someone's hide
Word origin
MFr < ML tanum, prob. < Gaul
tan in American English2
tangent
COBUILD Collocations
tan
fake tan
spray tan
Examples of 'tan' in a sentence
tan
What a difference a spray tan makes.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Make sure it's edited to enhance my holiday tan.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
A pale man came in for a fake tan.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
If your skin tans easily, the likelihood is that a coral colour will suit you so just experiment until you find a good match.
The Sun (2016)
Always had a light tan,' she recalled.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Dark tall and with the most tanned, muscular body he's into triathlons.
The Sun (2016)
Twenty per cent said applying fake tan was'the most flexible thing they did all year '.
The Sun (2016)
ONE in four British women have injured themselves while applying fake tan, a survey found.
The Sun (2016)
She set up a tanning and beauty salon.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
She had at least managed to tone down her tan.
The Sun (2010)
The natural dye in tea encourages the skin to tan more quickly.
Guyton, Anita The Natural Beauty Book - cruelty-free cosmetics to make at home (1991)
She got a fake tan and haircut and had her eyebrows threaded.
The Sun (2011)
You should have gone with tan boots.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
You can suddenly justify the pale tan suede handbag.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Top up your tan on the sun deck or have a dip in one of the pools.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Having a tan makes me more confident.
The Sun (2008)
Most people come back from holiday looking tanned and relaxed.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Only downsides are the dodgy tan lines.
The Sun (2013)
They worked magic on a tan leather bag that had been splattered with white paint.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The light tan of the upholstery and roof linings gives an airy feel.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The landscape is reduced to a uniform pale tan colour.
Richard Fortey THE EARTH: An Intimate History (2004)
Not many glowing tans on show?
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Or look out for a moisturiser which contains a small amount of tanning agent to build up a healthy glow on your cheeks.
The Sun (2009)
There's no point having a top tan and frizzy hair.
The Sun (2014)
I had a permanent tan and my family were very proud of my job.
The Sun (2011)
His fake tan has become a standing joke - but so far he seems to have taken it in good sport.
The Sun (2011)
The blood poured down his brown, tanned face which shone in the morning sun as though it had been carved of old oak.
Bryant, Arthur The Search for Justice - a history of Britain and the British people Volume III (1990)
Its cloth is made from the finest New Zealand hide and tanned with cod oil.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
I just tan so easily.
The Sun (2014)
In other languages
tan
British English: tan /tæn/ NOUN
If you have a tan, your skin has become darker than usual because you have been in the sun.
She is tall and blonde, with a tan.
American English: tan
Arabic: سُمْرَة
Brazilian Portuguese: bronzeado
Chinese: 晒黑的皮肤
Croatian: preplanuo
Czech: opálení sluncem
Danish: solbrændthed
Dutch: bruine kleur
European Spanish: bronceado
Finnish: rusketus
French: bronzage
German: Sonnenbräune
Greek: μαύρισμα
Italian: abbronzatura
Japanese: 日焼け
Korean: 햇볕에 탄 빛깔
Norwegian: brunfarge
Polish: opalenizna
European Portuguese: bronzeado
Romanian: bronz
Russian: загар
Latin American Spanish: bronceado
Swedish: solbränna
Thai: สีไหม้เกรียมของผิวหนังจากการตากแดด
Turkish: bronzlaşmış ten
Ukrainian: засмага
Vietnamese: màu rám nắng
All related terms of 'tan'
Powhatan
Native American name Wahunsonacock. died 1618, Native American chief of a confederacy of tribes ; father of Pocahontas
fan-tan
a Chinese gambling game in which a random number of counters are placed under a bowl and wagers laid on how many will remain after they have been divided by four
fake tan
If you have a tan , your skin has become darker than usual because you have been in the sun.
perma-tan
a permanent year-round suntan
spray tan
If you have a tan , your skin has become darker than usual because you have been in the sun.
Tan-tung
→ Dandong
Yuan Tan
an annual Chinese festival marking the Chinese New Year. It can last over three days and includes the exchange of gifts , firework displays , and dancing
black and tan
a mixture of stout or porter and ale
self-tanning
cosmetic substance applied to the skin to simulate a suntan
suntan
If you have a suntan , the sun has turned your skin an attractive brown colour.
tan someone's hide
to flog someone severely
black-and-tan terrier
→ Manchester terrier
Manchester terrier
a small breed of terrier with a glossy black-and-tan coat
Chinese translation of 'tan'
tan
(tæn)
n(c)
(also suntan) 晒黑的肤(膚)色 (shàihēi de fūsè) (种(種), zhǒng)
vi
[person]晒黑 (shàihēi)
vt
[hide, animal skin]鞣 (róu)
adj
(= colour) 黄(黃)褐色的 (huánghèsè de)
to get a tan晒黑 (shàihēi)
All related terms of 'tan'
bed
( piece of furniture ) 床 chuáng [ 张(張) zhāng ]
carbon
碳 tàn
phlegm
痰 tán
puddle
( of rain ) 水坑 shuǐkēng [ 个(個) gè ]
spring
[ c/u ] ( season ) 春季 chūnjì [ 个(個) gè ]
to get a tan
晒黑 shàihēi
carbon offsetting
碳补偿 tàn bǔcháng
carbon-neutral
碳中和 tàn zhōnghé
skirt
裙子 qúnzi [ 条(條) tiáo ]
kick around
在 zài
court
( Law : place ) 法庭 fǎtíng [ 个(個) gè ] (: people ) 全体(體)审(審)判员(員) quántǐ shěnpànyuán
sink
洗涤(滌)槽 xǐdícáo [ 个(個) gè ]
to sink into a chair
瘫(癱)在椅子上 tān zài yǐzi shang
alone
( not with other people ) 独(獨)自的 dúzì de
let alone ...
更谈(談)不上 ... gèng tán bù shàng ...
pool
[ c ] ( pond ) 水塘 shuǐtáng [ 个(個) gè ]
pool of light/blood
一滩(灘)亮光/血 yī tān liàngguāng/xiě
speak
( language ) 讲(講) jiǎng ⇒ They both spoke English. → 他们两个都讲英语。 Tāmen liǎng gè dōu jiǎng Yīngyǔ.
to speak to sb about sth
和某人谈(談)某事 hé mǒurén tán mǒushì
he plays a mean guitar
( inf ) 他弹(彈)吉他很出色 tā tán jítā hěn chūsè
learn
( study : skill ) 学(學) xué ⇒ Children learn foreign languages very easily. → 孩子学外语非常容易。 Háizi xué wàiyǔ fēicháng róngyì. ( poem, song ) 背 bèi ⇒ We have to learn the whole poem by heart. → 我们得把整首诗背下来。 Wǒmen děi bǎ zhěng shǒu shī bèi xiàlái.
mean
( signify ) 表示 ... 意思 biǎoshi ... yìsi ⇒ In modern Welsh, "glas" means "blue". → 在现代威尔士语中，"glas" 表示的意思是"蓝色"。 Zài xiàndài Wēi'ěrshìyǔ zhōng, "glas" biǎoshì de yìsi shì "lánsè".
speak for
( other people ) 代表 ... 讲(講)话(話) dàibiǎo ... jiǎnghuà ⇒ I think I can speak for everyone here when I express my sincere apologies. → 我想我能够代表这里的所有人表示由衷的歉意。 Wǒ xiǎng wǒ nénggòu dàibiǎo zhèlǐ de suǒyǒurén biǎoshì yóuzhōng de qiànyì.
speak for yourself!
( inf ) 谈(談)你自己的意见(見)！ Tán nǐ zìjǐ de yìjiàn!
the
定冠词，用于指代已知的人或物
to learn to do sth/how to do sth
( by studying ) 学(學)做某事/怎样(樣)做某事 xuézuò mǒushì/zěnyàng zuò mǒushì ⇒ He is learning to play the piano. → 他在学弹钢琴。 Tā zài xué tán gāngqín.
to play the piano/violin
弹(彈)钢(鋼)琴/拉小提琴 tán gāngqín/lā xiǎotíqín
greed
贪(貪)婪 tānlán
greed for sth
对(對)某物贪(貪)得无(無)厌(厭) duì mǒuwù tān dé wú yàn
spread
[ s ] ( increase ) 扩(擴)展 kuòzhǎn
to spread sth on/over
把某物摊(攤)在 ... 上 bǎ mǒuwù tān zài ... shang
conversation
交谈(談) jiāotán [ 次 cì ]
soon
( in a short time ) 不久 bùjiǔ ⇒ It will soon be Christmas. → 不久圣诞节就要到了。 Bùjiǔ Shèngdàn Jié jiù yào dào le.
to have a conversation (about sth/with sb)
(和某人)谈(談)(某事) (hé mǒurén) tán (mǒushì)
also
( too ) 也 yě ⇒ a pianist who also plays guitar → 一个也会弹吉他的钢琴家 yī gè yě huì tán jítā de gāngqínjiā
talk
[ c ] ( prepared speech ) 讲(講)话(話) jiǎnghuà [ 次 cì ] ⇒ a talk on careers abroad → 关于海外事业发展的讲话 guānyú hǎiwài shìyè fāzhǎn de jiǎnghuà
drill
[ c ] ( tool, machine ( for DIY etc ) 钻(鑽) zuàn [ 个(個) gè ] ( of dentist ) 钻(鑽)头(頭) zuàntóu [ 个(個) gè ] ( for mining etc ) 钻(鑽)孔器 zuānkǒngqì
sound off
▶ to sound off (about sth) (就某事)夸(誇)夸(誇)其谈(談) (jiù mǒushì) kuākuā qí tán
to drill (for)
( oil, water, gas ) 钻(鑽)(探某物) zuān (tàn mǒuwù)
to sound off (about sth)
(就某事)夸(誇)夸(誇)其谈(談) (jiù mǒushì) kuākuā qí tán
1 (verb)
Definition
tangent
I have very pale skin that never tans.
Synonyms
brown
bronze
go brown
become suntanned
take a suntan or tan
2 (verb)
Definition
to beat or flog
I'll tan his backside for him.
Synonyms
thrash
He was thrashed with a cane until his skin turned red.
belt (informal)
Is it true that she belted George in the stomach?
leather
They leathered me because they thought I could tell them where she'd gone.
whip
Eyewitnesses claimed he whipped the horse up to 16 times.
strap
If we were late, they used to strap us.
smack
cane
flog
He never flogs his horse no matter how slowly she goes.
spank
wallop
She walloped me over the head with a cushion.
flay
horsewhip
(adjective)
Definition
yellowish-brown
a tan leather jacket
Synonyms
tawny
light brown
pale brown
yellowish-brown
see also subject word lists:
See Shades of brown
Additional synonyms
in the sense of belt
Definition
to give (someone) a sharp blow
Is it true that she belted George in the stomach?
Synonyms
strike,
beat,
punch,
deck (slang),
bang,
bash (informal),
sock (slang),
smack,
thump,
clout (informal),
whack,
thud,
clobber (slang),
wallop (informal),
thwack,
lay one on (slang),
beat or knock seven bells out of (informal)
in the sense of flog
Definition
to beat harshly, esp. with a whip or stick
He never flogs his horse no matter how slowly she goes.
Synonyms
beat,
whip,
lash,
thrash,
whack,
scourge,
hit hard,
trounce,
castigate,
chastise,
flay,
lambast(e),
flagellate,
punish severely,
beat or knock seven bells out of (informal)
in the sense of leather
Definition
to whip as if with a leather strap
They leathered me because they thought I could tell them where she'd gone.
Synonyms
hit,
beat,
strike,
belt (informal),
pound,
break,
knock,
punch,
batter,
bruise,
lash,
thrash,
lick (informal),
flog,
pelt,
clobber (slang),
thwack,
lambast(e),
lay one on (slang),
drub,
beat or knock seven bells out of (informal)
Synonyms of 'tan'
tan
Explore 'tan' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of spank
Definition
to slap (someone) with the open hand, on the buttocks or legs
Synonyms
smack,
slap,
whack,
belt (informal),
tan (slang),
slipper (informal),
cuff,
wallop (informal),
give (someone) a hiding (informal),
put (someone) over your knee
in the sense of strap
If we were late, they used to strap us.
Synonyms
beat,
belt (informal),
whip,
lash,
flog,
scourge
in the sense of wallop
Definition
to hit hard
She walloped me over the head with a cushion.
Synonyms
hit,
beat,
strike,
knock,
belt (informal),
deck (slang),
bang,
batter,
bash (informal),
pound,
chin (slang),
smack,
thrash,
thump,
paste (slang),
buffet,
clout (informal),
slug,
whack,
swipe,
clobber (slang),
pummel,
tonk (slang),
lambast(e),
lay one on (slang),
beat or knock seven bells out of (informal)
in the sense of whip
Definition
to hit with a whip
Eyewitnesses claimed he whipped the horse up to 16 times.