Suntan: meaning, definitions and examples

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suntan

[ ˈsʌnˌtæn ]

Noun / Verb

^{Context #1 | Noun}

beach

A suntan is a brown colour that you get on your skin by sitting in the sun for a long time. It is often considered attractive and healthy.

Synonyms

bronze, tan.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
suntan	Use 'suntan' to refer to the darker skin shade acquired naturally after exposure to the sun. I got a nice suntan after spending a week at the beach. She always gets a suntan during the summer holidays.
tan	Use 'tan' to refer to any color change of the skin due to sun exposure. It's a more general term that can imply both light and dark tans. She got a nice tan after a day in the sun. To maintain their tan, they spend a few minutes in the sun every day.
bronze	Use 'bronze' to describe a deeper, richer tan that may resemble the color of the metal bronze. Sometimes used to describe a tanning lotion or a more intense tan. He had a beautiful bronze after his trip to the Mediterranean. She applied a bronzing lotion to give her skin a sun-kissed look.

Word

Description / Examples

suntan

Use 'suntan' to refer to the darker skin shade acquired naturally after exposure to the sun.

I got a nice suntan after spending a week at the beach.
She always gets a suntan during the summer holidays.

tan

Use 'tan' to refer to any color change of the skin due to sun exposure. It's a more general term that can imply both light and dark tans.

She got a nice tan after a day in the sun.
To maintain their tan, they spend a few minutes in the sun every day.

bronze

Use 'bronze' to describe a deeper, richer tan that may resemble the color of the metal bronze. Sometimes used to describe a tanning lotion or a more intense tan.

He had a beautiful bronze after his trip to the Mediterranean.
She applied a bronzing lotion to give her skin a sun-kissed look.

Examples of usage

My suntan is fading after the summer.
She spends hours sunbathing to get a suntan.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

beach

If you suntan, you sit or lie in the sun to get a tan on your skin.

Synonyms

bronze, tan.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
suntan	Commonly refers to the darker skin tone acquired from exposure to the sun; it can be either planned or incidental. I got a nice suntan from staying at the beach all day. She loves her golden suntan after her vacation.
tan	Simply indicates a darker skin color from sun exposure. It is a more general term and can refer to any level of tanning. He got a tan during his holiday. I need to get a tan for the summer.
bronze	Usually suggests a more intense and even tan, often with a shiny, healthy look. It often implies a deliberate effort to achieve this look, often through tanning products or extended sunbathing. Her skin turned a beautiful bronze after her trip to the Mediterranean. He spends hours sunbathing to get that bronze glow.

Word

Description / Examples

suntan

Commonly refers to the darker skin tone acquired from exposure to the sun; it can be either planned or incidental.

I got a nice suntan from staying at the beach all day.
She loves her golden suntan after her vacation.

tan

Simply indicates a darker skin color from sun exposure. It is a more general term and can refer to any level of tanning.

He got a tan during his holiday.
I need to get a tan for the summer.

bronze

Usually suggests a more intense and even tan, often with a shiny, healthy look. It often implies a deliberate effort to achieve this look, often through tanning products or extended sunbathing.

Her skin turned a beautiful bronze after her trip to the Mediterranean.
He spends hours sunbathing to get that bronze glow.

Examples of usage

She loves to suntan on the beach.
He suntanned for hours by the pool.

Translations

Translations of the word "suntan" in other languages:

🇵🇹 bronzeado

🇮🇳 धूप सेंकना

🇩🇪 Sonnenbräune

🇮🇩 berjemur

🇺🇦 засмага

🇵🇱 opalenizna

🇯🇵 日焼け (ひやけ)

🇫🇷 bronzage

🇪🇸 bronceado

🇹🇷 güneş yanığı

🇰🇷 선탠

🇸🇦 تسمير البشرة

🇨🇿 opalování

🇸🇰 opálenie

🇨🇳 晒黑 (shài hēi)

🇸🇮 porjavelost

🇮🇸 sólbrúnka

🇰🇿 күнге күю

🇬🇪 გარუჯვა

🇦🇿 günəş yanığı

🇲🇽 bronceado

Etymology

The term 'suntan' originated in the early 19th century, combining the words 'sun' and 'tan'. The concept of tanning one's skin dates back to ancient civilizations, where darker skin was often associated with a higher social status or outdoor labor. In modern times, suntanning has become a popular activity for leisure and aesthetic reasons, although the risks of sun exposure are now well-known.