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1tan

verb \ˈtan\

: to cause (skin) to become darker especially from being exposed to the sun's rays

: to become darker especially from being exposed to the sun's rays

: to change (the skin of an animal) into leather by a chemical process

tannedtan·ning

Full Definition of TAN

transitive verb
1
a :  to convert (hide) into leather by treatment with an infusion of tannin-rich bark or other agent of similar effect
b :  to convert (protein) to leather or a similar substance
2
:  to make (skin) tan especially by exposure to the sun
3
:  thrash, whip
intransitive verb
:  to get or become tanned
See tan defined for English-language learners
See tan defined for kids
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Origin of TAN

Middle English tannen, from Anglo-French tanner, from Medieval Latin tannare, from tanum, tannum tanbark
First Known Use: 13th century

Related to TAN

Synonyms
birch, cowhide, flagellate, flail, flog, hide, horsewhip, lash, leather, rawhide, scourge, slash, switch, whip, thrash, whale

Rhymes with TAN

an, ban, bran, can, clan, Dan, fan, flan, Jan, Klan, man, pan, Pan, panne, plan, scan, Shan, span, van, Van

2tan

adjective

: having skin that has been made darker by being exposed to the sun's rays

: having a light brown color

tan·nertan·nest

Full Definition of TAN

1
:  of, relating to, or used for tan or tanning
2
:  of the color tan
See tan defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of TAN

1586

3tan

noun

: a browning of the skin that is caused by the sun's rays

: a light brown color

Full Definition of TAN

1
:  a tanning material or its active agent (as tannin)
2
:  a brown color imparted to the skin especially by exposure to the sun
3
:  a light yellowish brown
4
plural :  tan-colored articles of clothing
See tan defined for English-language learners

Origin of TAN

French, tanbark, from Old French, from Medieval Latin tanum
First Known Use: 1674

4tan

abbreviation

Definition of TAN

tangent
TAN Defined for Kids

1tan

verb \ˈtan\
tannedtan·ning

Definition of TAN for Kids

1
:  to change animal hide into leather especially by soaking in a tannin solution
2
:  to make or become brown in color <She doesn't tan. Instead, she gets a sunburn.>
3
:  1beat 1, thrash

2tan

adjective
tan·nertan·nest

Definition of TAN for Kids

:  of a light yellowish brown color

3tan

noun

Definition of TAN for Kids

1
:  a brown color given to the skin by the sun or wind
2
:  a light yellowish brown :  the color of sand

Learn More About TAN

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47 ENTRIES FOUND:
  1. tan
  2. tan bay
  3. tan disease
  4. tan house
  5. tan oak
  6. tan pit
  7. tan ride
  8. tan rot
  9. tan spud
  10. tan vat
  11. Tan-tung
  12. ascot tan
  13. back-tan
  14. beach tan
  15. black and tan
  16. black-and-tan
  17. black-and-tan coonhound
  18. Chi-tan
  19. chrome tan
  20. copper tan
  21. cork tan
  22. covert tan
  23. fan-tan
  24. flowers of tan
  25. indian tan
  26. india tan
  27. luggage tan
  28. mustard tan
  29. nude tan
  30. peach tan
Next Word in the Dictionary: tanacetinPrevious Word in the Dictionary: TamworthAll Words Near: tan
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