How to Use tan in a Sentence

tan

1 of 3 verb
  • He was also tanned, and hadn’t had a chance to fix a missing lower tooth.
    — Ian Parker, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025
  • Tanning beds are not a safer option than tanning outside.
    — Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 12 June 2026
  • Red Antler processed the meat for him, the hide is being tanned, and the skull mounted.
    — Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 3 Sep. 2025
  • That hide is shipped overseas, usually to Asia, to be tanned into leather.
    — Luke Fountain, CNBC, 25 Dec. 2025
  • If carefully tanned, well made, and properly cared for, a real fur hat or coat should last for decades.
    — Skye Goode, Outdoor Life, 29 Jan. 2026
  • Some types of leather, such as raw or vegetable-tanned leather, should not be cleaned using standard methods and products.
    — Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Dec. 2025
  • Use self-tanners instead of tanning outside or using a tanning bed.
    — Alex Vance, Parents, 18 Aug. 2025
  • Tessum, 36, tall, lean, and tanned, already has two world records for trips to the North Pole.
    — Jen Murphy, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2026
  • Simply add a few pumps to a tanning mitt and use long sweeping motions all over your body, and leave it on for a minimum of six hours.
    — Lily Wohlner, Allure, 28 Dec. 2025
  • Arsenic also negated the need to tan skins of mammals and other animals.
    — Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 18 May 2026
  • His skin is tanned, similar to a Lunarian king.
    — Tyler Erzberger, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Her privileged best friend, coming off an unsatisfying nose job, takes the drug and shows up the next day blonde, tanned and ready for the runway.
    — Hunter Ingram, Variety, 5 Mar. 2026
  • Too much sun—especially enough to tan or burn—can damage your skin and increase the risk of premature aging and skin cancer.
    — Allison Forsyth, Health, 20 Apr. 2026
  • Tall and tanned, the Portland native moved to Palm Springs, yes, during the pandemic.
    — Jason Sheeler, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Feb. 2026
  • The researchers also performed genetic sequencing on normal skin cells from tanning bed users.
    — Maria Godoy, NPR, 14 Dec. 2025
  • According to the house, the new version in washed and vegetable-tanned leather boasts lighter hardware, an adjustable shoulder strap and a single-zip opening.
    — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2025
  • The resulting leather sheets are tanned using natural vegetable processes.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 10 Sep. 2025
  • They are created by taking a lamb or sheep pelt and tanning its hide—that would be the sheepskin part of the equation—while also shaving down its wool, aka, the shearling, to a uniform length.
    — Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 12 Jan. 2026
  • In the new study, researchers conducted a gene analysis in 182 skin biopsies from tanning bed users and tracked mutation patterns.
    — Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 16 Dec. 2025
  • Researchers found that tanning bed users were nearly three times as likely to develop melanoma — the deadliest form of skin cancer — compared to people who'd never tanned indoors.
    — Maria Godoy, NPR, 14 Dec. 2025
  • This is a gradual self-tanning lotion that helps reduce the appearance of cellulite with ingredients such as collagen, elastin and caffeine from green tea.
    — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026
  • Each pair is made in the USA with leather tanned at SB Foot in Red Wing, Minnesota.
    — Will Porter, Outside, 17 Oct. 2025
  • In racy photos posted by Kardashian, the longtime Kardashian-Jenner family friend is seen toned and tanned, her hair messy.
    — Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 23 June 2026
  • Timberland says the Horween Dryden leather, which is tanned in the USA, is desirable for its unique character and soft hand feel.
    — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Peters has also mentioned taking Melanotan II, which facilitates tanning without the use of sunlight.
    — Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Other myths, such as how tanning your perineum can boost energy and balance hormones, or how eliminating seed oils from your diet will protect you from the sun, have also fed into Gen Z tanning culture.
    — The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 June 2026
  • Before then, it was thought that indoor tanners were about 75% percent more likely to develop melanoma than those who have never tanned indoors, and that just one session in a tanning bed could increase the risk by 20 percent.
    — Tori Crowther, Allure, 19 Mar. 2026
  • Before now, the belief was that indoor tanners were 74 percent more likely to develop melanoma than those who have never tanned indoors, and that just one session in a tanning bed could increase the risk by 20 percent.
    — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 12 Dec. 2025
  • Market projections expect the self-tanning category to reach $315 million by 2030.
    — Tori Crowther, Allure, 22 Apr. 2026
  • Alternatively, Evans suggests using a moisturizer on those areas before tanning to create a barrier so less self-tanner can penetrate.
    — Deanna Pai, Glamour, 6 June 2026

tan

2 of 3 adjective
  • She was last seen wearing a tan shirt, blue jeans and black shoes.
    — Jacob Beltran, San Antonio Express-News, 18 Feb. 2026
  • If the edges look ragged with tan or white tips, your mower blade is at fault.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 24 Apr. 2026
  • The belly is tan or gray with dark blotches.
    — Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Grab them in a neutral tan color for spring.
    — Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 4 May 2026
  • The five-some wore tan pants and matching tan jackets.
    — Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026
  • The snake is copper-colored, light brown or tan.
    — Charlotte Observer, 12 May 2026
  • The outside is tan, blue, and a burgundy.
    — Letters To The Editor, Hartford Courant, 10 Mar. 2026
  • And honestly, who doesn't want to be tan?
    — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
  • The dogs were a tan male mix-breed and a dark brindle and white female mixed breed.
    — Dan Raby, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
  • In a strange little tan-and-white bodysuit!
    — Emma Specter, Vogue, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Plus, a tan or khaki trench coat is one of the hallmarks of any capsule wardrobe.
    — Leila Najafi, Travel + Leisure, 21 Aug. 2025
  • Capri could be seen wrapped in a tan blanket on the floor, holding the toy ice roller in her hand.
    — Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
  • This front entrance is classic, paired with white trim and a tan clapboard house.
    — Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 26 May 2026
  • One of them was wearing a black shirt and gray pants, and the other had on a tan shirt and black pants.
    — Pioneer Press, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Roderick, meanwhile, donned a flowy red-and-cream dress with tan wedges.
    — Juliana Ukiomogbe, InStyle, 29 May 2026
  • One set had dark blue shorts and a lighter blue paisley-print top, the other had tan shorts and an olive top.
    — Benny Peterson, Vogue, 4 May 2026
  • Choose from colors including white, black, tan, blue, and more.
    — Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026
  • He was last seen wearing a tan coat, maroon sweats pants and blue-and-white Nike shoes.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 8 Jan. 2026
  • The building has a stucco finish, and the paint is a tan color.
    — Joan Morris, Mercury News, 9 Mar. 2026
  • The style comes in black, tan, blue, and dark brown and is currently on sale for $85.
    — Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 4 May 2026
  • He was last seen wearing a tan colored shirt, officers said.
    — Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
  • Hawn’s winter boots were constructed from black suede and lined with soft tan shearling.
    — Tara Larson, Footwear News, 22 Dec. 2025
  • Grab a coconut and sit by their pool overlooking the bay for a little tan sesh.
    — Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Apr. 2026
  • Both snakes are pinkish-tan to grayish-brown, with bands being dark gray, brown or reddish brown.
    — Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 10 June 2026
  • Grutman is in a tan outfit and black shirt watching the star while smiling and dancing.
    — Dave Osborn, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2026
  • He was last seen wearing a tan or light brown jacket, tan camouflage pants and black shoes with white shoelaces.
    — Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 21 Jan. 2026
  • Clarke opted for a tan version of the Koller style, which popped against her long bright white overcoat.
    — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 13 Jan. 2026
  • The high ceiling restaurant with gray, tan and cream finishes feels a bit like a boardroom.
    — Sarah Blaskovich, Dallas Morning News, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Wedding arrived in court wearing a tan jail jumpsuit with his ankles chained.
    — Amy Taxin, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
  • She was reportedly last seen wearing a tan-colored top and tan pants.
    — Tim Fang, CBS News, 26 May 2026

tan

3 of 3 noun
  • Go through the works and blend out my tan.
    — Christina Dugan Ramirez , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 5 Jan. 2026
  • The telltale mark of a fake tan?
    — Deanna Pai, Glamour, 6 June 2026
  • Use one drop for a light tan or more to up the bronze factor.
    — Cristina Montemayor, SELF, 27 May 2022
  • He was last seen wearing a tan and green coat, blue pants and a brown beanie.
    — Marc Ramirez, Dallas News, 22 Feb. 2020
  • When I‘ve just had a fresh haircut and a good tan.
    — Jackie Fields, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
  • It was painted gray and tan, with stonework around the door and a bed of tulips.
    — Michelle Theriault Boots, Anchorage Daily News, 22 July 2023
  • Fungal leaf spot produces large tan to brown spots on leaves.
    — Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2023
  • Berrios sported teal swim trunks and a solid fake tan.
    — Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Their coats are usually brown and tan mixed with gray and black.
    — Matthew Every, Field & Stream, 7 Dec. 2023
  • If your goal is looksmaxxing, don't get a real tan.
    — Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 12 June 2026
  • Heck, let the mind wander to sunglass tans and cheesy beach reads.
    — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 27 Nov. 2023
  • To complete the look, the pop star wore a set of lime-green nails and a bronze tan.
    — Tish Weinstock, Vogue, 9 July 2021
  • This tan and baby blue one can even be bought with a matching sweater skirt.
    — Brittany Natale, Redbook, 17 Aug. 2023
  • Soft tan lines had set up camp on her shoulders, earned despite the chill.
    — Jessi Jezewska Stevens, Harper’s Magazine , 28 Sep. 2022
  • This trio has all the tools needed to achieve a seamless neck-to-toe tan.
    — Jasmine Washington, Seventeen, 13 June 2022
  • Even the restraints used to tie her to her lounge chair are a soft-tan color.
    — Jessica Goldstein, Vulture, 1 Apr. 2021
  • The sparkling tan and brown puzzle-piece pattern curved and dipped out of the light.
    — Rebecca Renner, Outside Online, 14 May 2020
  • The lipstick red works really nice on my skin with a deep tan.
    — Alexis Bennett, Vogue, 1 Aug. 2022
  • This chili oxford is the perfect color to work with navy and tan.
    — Brad Lanphear, Men's Health, 8 Sep. 2023
  • Right now, it’s priced at $49 in black and a light tan and $59 in white.
    — Anne Taylor, Travel + Leisure, 24 Aug. 2025
  • Five days, plus a few workouts and showers later, my tan still looks fresh.
    — Lily Wohlner, Allure, 9 Feb. 2026
  • There are also a few big sun pads for anyone onboard who wants to work on their tan.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 6 Dec. 2021
  • Pair them with some no-show socks to flash the last of your tan, or make a snuggly pair the star of the show.
    — Talia Abbas, Glamour, 26 Aug. 2021
  • Rather, creams, tans, and earth textures are on the rise, Austin reports.
    — Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 28 Aug. 2023
  • Choose from neutrals like white, gray, and tan, or opt for more vivid solids like mint green and lavender.
    — Jamie Allison Sanders, Peoplemag, 7 Mar. 2024
  • Your tan will develop on its own over four to eight hours and can be used as is – no fuss, all glow.
    — Alyssa Brascia, Peoplemag, 24 Aug. 2022
  • This is the form of light that causes skin to tan and to age, the form used in tanning salons.
    — Lisa Sanders, M.d., New York Times, 6 July 2023
  • One is described as wearing a red hat and tan shorts, while the other wore gray and blue jeans.
    — Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 6 June 2026
  • In this instance, the car was light beige with a dark tan interior.
    — Vern Parker, Houston Chronicle, 31 Jan. 2020
  • The best self-tan lotions for fair skin can be surprisingly hard to find.
    — Daley Quinn, Glamour, 11 Mar. 2026

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tan.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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