suntan

American  

[suhn-tan] / ˈsʌnˌtæn /

noun

suntans plural

1. a browning or a brown color of the skin resulting from exposure to sunlight or a sunlamp; tan.

2. Also called mayfair tan, merida.  a light to medium yellow-brown.

3. Also called pastel orange.  a medium orange color.

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verb (used with or without object)

suntanned, suntanning

1. tan.

suntan British  

/ ˈsʌnˌtæn /

noun

1. 1. Often shortened to: tan.  a brownish colouring of the skin caused by the formation of the pigment melanin within the skin on exposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun or a sunlamp

   2. ( as modifier )

      suntan oil

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• suntanned
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• suntans
  plural

Etymology

Origin of suntan

First recorded in 1900–05; sun + tan ¹

Example Sentences

While there are some ingredients in suntan lotions - like oxybenzone - that can cause environmental damage to coral reefs, there is not evidence to suggest it poses a risk to humans, Dr McCann says.

From BBC • Aug. 3, 2025

Edgewell Personal Care Co., the maker of Schick blazers and Banana Boat suntan lotion, has trimmed certain varieties of its anti-bacteria wipes Wet Ones, among others.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 12, 2024

“People go into the gift shop early in the trip to buy suntan lotion, a hat, and browse,” he said.

From Slate • Jul. 7, 2023

Sophie would rather apply suntan lotion to her own back.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 23, 2023

He took out a tube of suntan lotion, squeezed a bit onto his hand, and passed the tube on.

From "Bomb" by Steve Sheinkin

Related Words

• beige
• brownish
• drab
• khaki