tan
0 antonyms and opposites of tan, grouped by meaning.
Noun — A yellowish-brown colour, or the darkened shade skin takes on after time in the sun.
How to use tan
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French tan, "tanbark" (the oak bark used to cure leather), tracing back to a Gaulish word for oak. The "get a suntan" meaning came later, from the browning effect of tanning leather.
Full origin of tan →Frequently asked questions
What does “tan” mean?
The word “tan” means a yellowish-brown colour, or the darkened shade skin takes on after time in the sun. In plain terms, a light brown colour — usually either sun-browned skin or the shade of leather and similar materials.
How do you pronounce “tan”?
“Tan” is pronounced tan (/tæn/ in IPA).
How do you use “tan” in a sentence?
Here is “tan” used in a sentence: “She came back from the beach with a deep tan.”
What part of speech is “tan”?
Depending on how it is used, “tan” can be a noun, an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “tan” come from?
The word “tan” comes from Old French. From Old French tan, "tanbark" (the oak bark used to cure leather), tracing back to a Gaulish word for oak. The "get a suntan" meaning came later, from the browning effect of tanning leather.
Is “tan” a common word?
“Tan” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “tan” have?
“Tan” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a yellowish-brown colour, or the darkened shade skin takes on after time in the sun.
What is the difference between tan and beige?
Both are pale neutral shades, but tan is a yellowish-brown that reads noticeably darker and warmer, while beige is a lighter, creamier off-white. A classic leather satchel is typically tan; unbleached fabric is closer to beige.
How do you spell the past tense of tan?
The past tense is tanned and the -ing form is tanning: the final n doubles because tan ends in a short vowel followed by a single consonant. "Taned" and "taning" are misspellings.
What is the difference between a tan and sunburn?
A tan is the gradual darkening of skin tone after time in the sun. Sunburn is damage from overexposure, leaving the skin red and sore rather than evenly darkened.