sunburn

American  

[suhn-burn] / ˈsʌnˌbɜrn /

noun

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

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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 British  

/ ˈsʌnˌbɜːn /

noun

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

2. another word for suntan

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of sunburn

First recorded in 1520–30; sun + burn ¹

Example Sentences

“I like to think of this as a sunburn: The first day you get it, it’s really bad. Day after day, it does get a little bit better, but there’s still a burn.”

From MarketWatch • Jan. 26, 2026

According to the NHS, sunbeds are more dangerous than natural sunlight because they deliver concentrated UV radiation, which increases the risk of skin cancer, premature ageing, sunburn and eye damage.

From BBC • Dec. 30, 2025

UV radiation can injure DNA and generate oxidative stress in skin cells, which in turn triggers inflammation that causes the familiar redness, pain, and blistering of sunburn.

From Science Daily • Nov. 30, 2025

If you’re lucky enough to attend a Ryder Cup, you are supposed to wear your best khaki shorts, get a sunburn and keep your trap shut during the pressure shots.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 3, 2025

He felt it on the back of his neck first, like a sunburn that suddenly bloomed into a burst of heat.

From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro