sun
suhn
Sun (noun) means the star at the centre of our solar system, which gives Earth light and heat. Example: “Never look straight at the sun, even when you are wearing ordinary sunglasses.”
noun
1
The star at the centre of our solar system, which gives Earth light and heat.
"Never look straight at the sun, even when you are wearing ordinary sunglasses."
"The sun rose over the hills just after six."
"Plants need sunlight from the sun to grow."
2
Sunlight or sunshine.
"The flowers on the balcony need plenty of sun and a little water."
"After a week of rain, we were all desperate for some sun."
"Let's sit outside and get some sun."
verb
1
To expose something, or yourself, to sunlight.
"On warm afternoons we like to sun ourselves on the grass by the river."
"He spread the damp blankets out to sun them before putting them away."
"The cat likes to sun itself on the windowsill."
How to use sun
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe star that lights and warms our planet, or the warmth/light it gives off.
Common pairings
in the sun
sun cream
sunrise
sunset
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Word forms
- Plural
- suns
- Third person singular
- suns
- Past tense
- sunned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Never look straight at the _____, even when you are wearing ordinary sunglasses.
Etymology
From Old English sunne, from a very old Germanic and Indo-European root shared by "sun" words across most European languages.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “sun” mean?
The word “sun” means the star at the centre of our solar system, which gives Earth light and heat. In plain terms, the star that lights and warms our planet, or the warmth/light it gives off.
How do you pronounce “sun”?
“Sun” is pronounced suhn (/sʌn/ in IPA).
How do you use “sun” in a sentence?
Here is “sun” used in a sentence: “The sun rose over the hills just after six.”
What part of speech is “sun”?
Depending on how it is used, “sun” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “sun” come from?
The word “sun” comes from Old English. From Old English sunne, from a very old Germanic and Indo-European root shared by "sun" words across most European languages.
Is “sun” a common word?
“Sun” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “sun” have?
“Sun” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the star at the centre of our solar system, which gives Earth light and heat.
Is the sun a star or a planet?
The sun is a star: a vast ball of hot, glowing gas held together by its own gravity, producing light and heat through nuclear fusion at its core. Planets like Earth are much smaller, cooler bodies that orbit it. The sun only looks different from other stars because it is so close to us.
What is the sun made of?
The sun is made almost entirely of hydrogen and helium in the form of plasma: gas so hot its atoms have broken apart. In its core, immense pressure and heat fuse hydrogen into helium, releasing the energy that reaches Earth as sunlight and warmth. Traces of heavier elements make up the rest.
How far is the sun from Earth?
On average the sun lies about 93 million miles (150 million kilometres) from Earth, a distance known as an astronomical unit. Its light takes roughly eight minutes to reach us. The gap varies slightly through the year because Earth's orbit is not a perfect circle, bringing it a little nearer, then further.
Why is the sun important?
The sun is the source of nearly all energy and life on Earth. Its light and heat drive the climate, weather, and seasons, and power photosynthesis, which feeds plants and, in turn, almost every other living thing. Its gravity also holds the solar system together, keeping Earth in a stable orbit.
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