What does tanning mean?
Tanning is the process by which skin becomes darker after exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet radiation, producing the familiar tan. In everyday use, it often refers to deliberate sunbathing or the use of tanning beds and lotions. The word can also describe the darker coloration itself, as in “a healthy tanning.” A more technical sense refers to treating animal skins with chemicals, heat, and other agents to turn them into durable leather. Modern concern about ultraviolet damage has made tanning a familiar subject of health advice, yet the term remains neutral or positive in many descriptions of sunbathing and beach culture. Its wider associations with leatherworking also connect it to an old craft whose products have long been used for clothing, footwear, furniture, and tools.
The process of making skin darker through sunlight or ultraviolet radiation, or the resulting brown coloration.
"Her tan deepened gradually with each afternoon by the pool."
As a process noun, “tanning” is normally uncountable.
To become darker or brown through exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet radiation; to cause skin to become darker.
"He tans easily and rarely burns in the summer sun."
In leatherworking, the verb means to treat animal skin so that it becomes leather.
The plural is rarely used because “tanning” normally denotes an uncountable process.
"The two salon treatments offered contrasting types of tanning."
A tan is temporary, but its story can last for years: the word tanning traces back to the ancient craft of turning animal skins into leather.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does tanning come from?
Tanning was formed from the English verb “tan,” with the suffix “-ing.” The verb belongs to a Germanic word family concerned with making hides brown and durable; related forms include “tawny” and the chemically related word “tannin.” Modern tanning developed through the treatment of animal skins, while the familiar sense of darkening human skin became especially prominent with the growth of sunbathing and cosmetic tanning in the 20th century.
Related word forms
How tanning is actually used
For human skin, tanning usually refers to intentional sunbathing or cosmetic ultraviolet exposure, though it can also describe natural darkening. In leatherworking, it is a technical term for converting animal hides into stable leather.
Easily confused with tanning
Tanning darkens or browns skin, whereas tamping packs down or compacts material.