Tan Word Meaning

late Old English tannian ‘convert into leather’, probably from medieval Latin tannare, perhaps of Celtic origin; reinforced in Middle English by Old French tanner. Early use of the noun (late Middle English) was in tan (sense 3 of the noun)

a yellowish-brown colour

yellowish-brown colour

• the overall colour scheme of tan and cream

a brown or darkened shade of skin developed after exposure to the sun

brown shade of skin developed after exposure to sun

• Jenna managed to get an even golden tan

bark of oak or other trees, bruised and used as a source of tannin for converting hides into leather.

bark of oak or other trees

(of a person or their skin) become brown or darkened after exposure to the sun

become brown or browner after exposure to sun

• you'll tan very quickly in the pure air

convert (animal skin) into leather by soaking in a liquid containing tannic acid, or by the use of other chemicals.

convert animal skin into leather by soaking in liquid containing tannic acid

beat (someone) repeatedly as a punishment

beat someone repeatedly

• ‘If Mickey touches a fishing net, I'll tan his hide!’

of a yellowish-brown colour

of yellowish-brown colour

• a tan baseball cap with orange piping

(of a person) having brown or darkened skin after exposure to the sun

having brown skin after exposure to sun

• she looks tall, tan, and healthy