What does suntanned mean?
Suntanned is an adjective describing someone whose skin has been darkened by exposure to the sun. It commonly refers to a person, as in “a suntanned child,” or to a body part, such as “suntanned legs,” and it is familiar in both British and American English. The word often appears in descriptions of holidays, beaches, outdoor work, and warmer climates, where a darker complexion is associated with leisure, health, or an appealing summer appearance. Although it normally means that the skin has changed colour through sun exposure, it does not necessarily imply that the skin was sunburnt or painfully damaged. Compared with the broader word “tanned,” suntanned more specifically identifies the sun as the source of the colour.
adjectiveHaving skin darkened or tanned by exposure to the sun.
- Having skin that has been darkened by exposure to the sun.
"After a week at the beach, she returned with suntanned arms and a bright smile."
"The suntanned model relaxed beside the swimming pool."
"He felt self-conscious about his suntanned hands after returning from the holiday."
Suntanned captures the visible aftermath of a summer in the sun, when the body tells the story of brighter days.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of suntanned
The word is formed by combining “sun” with the past participle of “tan,” meaning to become or make brown through exposure to sunlight. “Tan” is an English word of Germanic origin and is related to cognates found in several Germanic languages. The compound “suntanned” has long been used in English to describe a complexion darkened by the sun.
How suntanned is actually used
Common in both British and American English. It is usually used of a person or their appearance, though it can also describe skin, arms, legs, or a face. The term is generally informal and carries a mildly positive or lifestyle-associated tone.
Easily confused with suntanned
Suntanned describes the darker colouring that results from sun exposure, whereas sunburnt usually describes skin that has been painfully irritated or damaged by the sun.