adj
tawny
TAW-nee
Tawny (adj) means of a light brownish-orange colour, like a lion's coat. Example: “The desert stretched out in tawny sand and rock.”
adj
1
Of a light brownish-orange colour, like a lion's coat.
"The desert stretched out in tawny sand and rock."
"She had tawny hair that caught the sunlight."
noun
1
A light brownish-orange colour.
"The curtains were dyed a rich tawny."
2
A sweet, aged fortified wine (tawny port) known for its brownish-orange colour.
"They finished the meal with a glass of tawny port."
How to use tawny
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA warm brownish-orange colour, like tanned leather or a lion's fur.
Common pairings
tawny port
tawny owl
tawny fur
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Word forms
- Plural
- tawnies, tawnys
- Third person singular
- tawnies
- Past tense
- tawnied
- Comparative
- tawnier
- Superlative
- tawniest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The desert stretched out in _____ sand and rock.
Etymology
From Old French tané, the past participle of taner ("to tan hide into leather"), from tan, the bark used in the tanning process.
Rhymes for tawny
See all rhymes for tawny →Frequently asked questions
What does “tawny” mean?
The word “tawny” means of a light brownish-orange colour, like a lion's coat. In plain terms, a warm brownish-orange colour, like tanned leather or a lion's fur.
How do you pronounce “tawny”?
“Tawny” is pronounced TAW-nee (/ˈtɔni/ in IPA).
How do you use “tawny” in a sentence?
Here is “tawny” used in a sentence: “The desert stretched out in tawny sand and rock.”
What part of speech is “tawny”?
Depending on how it is used, “tawny” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “tawny” come from?
The word “tawny” comes from Old French. From Old French tané, the past participle of taner ("to tan hide into leather"), from tan, the bark used in the tanning process.
How many meanings does “tawny” have?
“Tawny” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: of a light brownish-orange colour, like a lion's coat.
