How Do You Spell TAN?

Pronunciation: [tˈan] (IPA)

The word "tan" is a short, one-syllable word that is commonly used to describe a brownish color that is often achieved through exposure to sunlight. The spelling of the word is relatively straightforward, with the IPA phonetic transcription being /tæn/. This transcription represents the sounds of the "t" and "a" in the word. The "n" at the end additionally represents a nasal sound that is made by the speaker. The word can be used in various contexts, including describing skin or leather colors.

Meaning and Definition
Top Common Misspellings
Other Common Misspellings
Etymology
Idioms
Similar spelling words
Plural
Conjugate verb
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TAN Meaning and Definition

  1. Tan is an adjective that describes a color resembling that of tanned leather or skin, typically a medium brown with a warm undertone. It is often associated with a sun-kissed appearance resulting from exposure to sunlight. Tan can also refer to the process of darkening or bronzing one's skin through natural or artificial means like spending time under the sun or using self-tanning lotions.

    The term can also be used as a noun, referring to a shade of brown or yellowish-brown color, resembling that of tanned skin. Tans can vary in intensity, ranging from a light beige to a deep golden-brown hue.

    As a verb, tan refers to the process of transforming animal hides into leather by treating them with tannic acid or other substances. This process preserves the hide and imparts durability and flexibility to the material.

    Colloquially, "tan" can also be used as a verb meaning to spend time in the sun with the intention of darkening the skin.

    In popular culture, particularly in Western societies, a tan is often associated with health, beauty, and an active lifestyle, as it is commonly associated with vacationing or spending time outdoors. However, it is important to practice sun safety and protect oneself from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation when seeking a tan.

  2. Sunburn, pigmentation of the skin from exposure to the actinic rays of the sun or electric light.

    A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

  3. • The bark of the oak, willow, and other trees, which abounds in tannin, crushed and broken in a mill, used for turning skins into leather.
    • Of a yellowish-brown colour like tan.
    • To convert skins into leather by steeping them amongst water and the bark of the oak, willow, &c.; to make tawny or brown by exposure to the sun.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for TAN *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for TAN

Etymology of TAN

The word "tan" has an interesting etymology. It originated from the Old English word "tannian", which meant "to convert hide into leather by soaking it in tannic acid". This Old English word was derived from the Proto-Germanic word "tannijaną". The Proto-Germanic term eventually developed from the Proto-Indo-European root word "ten-" or "tan-", meaning "to draw, stretch, extend". This root gives the word "tan" its primary meaning related to the process of tanning leather. Over time, "tan" expanded its meaning to include the darker shade of skin resulting from exposure to the sun, which is now a commonly used definition.

Idioms with the word TAN

  • tan someone's hide The idiom "tan someone's hide" means to spank or beat someone as a form of punishment or discipline. It is often used metaphorically to denote giving someone a severe reprimand or teaching them a lesson.
  • tan (one's) hide The idiom "tan (one's) hide" refers to the act of giving someone a beating or punishment, typically a physical one. It stems from the practice of tanning animal hides (skins) to make leather, which involves a process of curing and treating the skin. Therefore, "tan (one's) hide" figuratively means to treat someone's skin with physical punishment.
  • tan sb's hide The idiom "tan sb's hide" means to punish or beat someone severely, typically with physical force or a whipping. It implies inflicting punishment or discipline on someone in a harsh or brutal manner.
  • catch a tan The idiom "catch a tan" refers to the act of getting a suntan by exposing oneself to the sun or sunlight for an extended period. It implies the desire to achieve a bronzed or darker complexion from spending time in the sun.
  • tan sm's hide The idiomatic expression "tan someone's hide" typically means to scold, reprimand, or punish someone severely or relentlessly. It implies subjecting someone to a harsh verbal or sometimes physical discipline as if they were being beaten, similar to tanning leather hides.
  • tan the hide off sb, at tan sb's hide The idiom "tan the hide off someone" or "tan someone's hide" means to severely scold, criticize, or berate someone, typically for their behavior or actions. It implies a harsh and thorough reprimanding, as if figuratively tanning their skin with a tanning agent.
  • tan hide

Similar spelling words for TAN

Plural form of TAN is TANS

Conjugate verb Tan

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have tanned
you would have tanned
he/she/it would have tanned
we would have tanned
they would have tanned
I would have tan
you would have tan
he/she/it would have tan
we would have tan
they would have tan

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been tanning
you would have been tanning
he/she/it would have been tanning
we would have been tanning
they would have been tanning

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would tan
you would tan
he/she/it would tan
we would tan
they would tan

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be tanning
you would be tanning
he/she/it would be tanning
we would be tanning
they would be tanning

FUTURE

I will tan
you will tan
he/she/it will tan
we will tan
they will tan

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be tanning
you will be tanning
he/she/it will be tanning
we will be tanning
they will be tanning

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have tanned
you will have tanned
he/she/it will have tanned
we will have tanned
they will have tanned

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been tanning
you will have been tanning
he/she/it will have been tanning
we will have been tanning
they will have been tanning

IMPERATIVE

you tan
we let´s tan

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to tan

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was tanning
you were tanning
he/she/it was tanning
we were tanning
they were tanning

PAST PARTICIPLE

tanned

PAST PERFECT

I had tanned
you had tanned
he/she/it had tanned
we had tanned
they had tanned

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been tanning
you had been tanning
he/she/it had been tanning
we had been tanning
they had been tanning

PRESENT

I tan
you tan
he/she/it tans
we tan
they tan

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am tanning
you are tanning
he/she/it is tanning
we are tanning
they are tanning

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

tanning

PRESENT PERFECT

I have tanned
you have tanned
he/she/it has tanned
we have tanned
they have tanned

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been tanning
you have been tanning
he/she/it has been tanning
we have been tanning
they have been tanning

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it tan

SIMPLE PAST

I tanned
you tanned
he/she/it tanned
we tanned
they tanned