tawny

Sometimes taw·ney

[taw-nee]

adjective

tawnier, tawniest 

1. of a dark yellowish or dull yellowish-brown color.

noun

1. a shade of brown tinged with yellow; dull yellowish brown.

tawny

/ ˈtɔːnɪ /

noun

1. 1. a light brown to brownish-orange colour

   2. ( as adjective )

      tawny port

Other Word Forms

• tawnily adverb
• tawniness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of tawny¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English tauny, from Anglo-French taune, from Middle French tané, past participle of taner “to tan”; tan ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of tawny¹

C14: from Old French tané, from taner to _tan ¹

Example Sentences

In the picturesque community of Eddington, among the tawny deserts and quaint antique shops, things are quickly coming apart at the seams during the final weeks of May 2020.

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Raised in Fife, with its tawny beaches and sleepy fishing villages, a career in music was a distant dream.

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The young tawny cougar with the broad, handsome features headed east for nearly 50 miles to escape his father, wandering through whatever green spaces he could find “and probably more than few backyards,” Pratt said.

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He had seen tawny owls in the neighbourhood before but was surprised to discover these so close to the heart of the city.

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This summer, Currie — who has tawny hair and, often, a light tan — is planning to travel to various destinations in Europe to buttle at vacation houses.

Read more on Seattle Times