Tan: meaning, definitions and examples

Use to describe a light brown color often associated with sun-exposed skin or leather.

• She wore a tan leather jacket
• His skin was tan after spending the summer at the beach

Often used in fashion and design to refer to a light, neutral color that combines elements of brown and white.

• The living room walls were painted beige
• She chose a beige dress for the event

Describes a specific shade of light brown, typically used in fashion, often referring to clothing or accessories.

• He wore a camel coat
• Camel boots are very popular this season

Describes a pale yellow-brown color that resembles beach sand, often used in interior design and casual clothing.

• The curtains were a sand color
• She bought a sand-colored sweater

Commonly used to describe a light brownish-yellow color associated with military uniforms and casual clothing like trousers.

• He prefers wearing khaki pants
• The soldiers were dressed in khaki uniforms

Duplicate entry of 'tan' above.

Specifically refers to the result of skin darkening due to sun exposure, often used in a casual or informal context.

• He showed off his suntan after coming back from the trip.
• Remember to apply sunscreen to avoid an uneven suntan.

Refers to a deeper, more intense brown color; sometimes used to describe a healthy, strong tan or metallic sheen.

• After a month of sailing, his skin had a bronze glow.
• The statue had a beautiful bronze finish.

Often used to describe the ideal color of toast or roasted food; can also describe a warm, attractive skin tone.

• Her skin turned a golden brown after the summer holidays.
• The cookies are ready when they turn golden brown.

Repeated word. Refer to the entry above for 'tan'.

Describes a general color that ranges from light to dark shades, often found in nature.

• The soil in this region is very brown.
• He wore a brown jacket that matched his hat.

Often used to describe a deep, metallic brownish color or a third-place finish in sports.

• The statue was made of bronze.
• She won a bronze medal in the competition.

Specifically refers to the color of someone's skin after being exposed to the sun, often implying a healthy-looking, darker shade.

• After a week at the beach, she had a deep suntan.
• He always gets a suntan during his summer holiday.