sunburn

[suhn-burn]

noun

1. inflammation of the skin caused by overexposure to the sun or a sunlamp.

verb (used with or without object)

sunburned, sunburnt, sunburning. 

1. to affect or be affected with sunburn.

   An hour in the sun sunburned me severely. I sunburn easily.

sunburn

/ ˈsʌnˌbɜːn /

noun

1. Technical name: erythema solare. inflammation of the skin caused by overexposure to the sun

2. another word for suntan

Other Word Forms

• sunburnt adjective
• unsunburned adjective
• unsunburnt adjective
• well-sunburned adjective
• well-sunburnt adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sunburn¹

First recorded in 1520–30; sun + burn ¹

Example Sentences

He shook one sunburned finger at my hat and yelled, “Traitor! Traitor!” his face red with rage, or possibly alcohol — who knew?

Read more on Salon

Some are asking for help and advice, others actually want to show off their badly sunburned bodies.

Read more on BBC

Regularly getting sunburned can increase the risk of skin cancer.

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“I’m sunburned. I’m thirsty. I can’t feel anything but everything hurts at the same time. … I need an ice bath!”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, is linked to UV exposure - and experts say sunburn in childhood significantly increases the risk later in life.

Read more on BBC