tanning

tanning — noun

1. the process in which a person's skin becomes darker after they spend time in the

1.nounB1
Definition

the process in which a person's skin becomes darker after they spend time in the sun, usually because they are sunbathing or doing outdoor activities

Example

Mei applies strong sunscreen every morning to control the tanning of her skin.

modifier pattern: 'the tanning of + possessive + noun'

The resort brochure promoted all-day tanning on its private white-sand beach.

adjective + tanning: 'all-day tanning'

Common collocations
  • artificial tanning
  • excessive tanning
  • indoor tanning
  • tanning session
  • tanning bed
Synonyms
  • sunbathing

    focuses on the activity of lying in the sun for pleasure, not just the darkening effect

  • bronzing

    more cosmetic — emphasises the attractive golden-brown result rather than the process

Grammar Patterns

the tanning of + noun

adjective + tanning

tanning + noun (modifier)

Usage Note

This is by far the most common modern meaning. Tanning in this sense is usually an uncountable noun — you cannot say 'a tanning' to mean a session of browning. That single session is called 'a tan' (countable). Frequently appears with adjectives such as 'excessive', 'artificial', 'indoor', and 'natural'.

Common Mistakes

She got a beautiful tanning at the beach.
She got a beautiful tan at the beach.
'tanning' is the process; the result is 'a tan'.

2. the industrial or craft process of treating animal skins with chemicals or natur

2.nounB2
Definition

the industrial or craft process of treating animal skins with chemicals or natural substances so that they become strong, flexible leather that can be used to make shoes, bags, clothes, and other items

Example

The small town in Italy has been famous for its leather-tanning industry for centuries.

compound modifier: 'leather-tanning industry'

Padma learned the art of tanning from her grandfather, a master leather worker.

Common collocations
  • leather tanning
  • tanning industry
  • tanning process
  • tanning factory
  • tanning method
Synonyms
  • leathermaking

    a broader term that covers all stages from skin to finished product, not just the chemical treatment

  • curing

    refers to preserving animal skins; it is a related but earlier step before actual tanning

Grammar Patterns

the + noun + of tanning

tanning + industry/factory/process

Usage Note

This is the older, original meaning of the word. It is a specialised term most often encountered in the contexts of manufacturing, traditional crafts, and the fashion industry. The noun 'tanning' in this sense is uncountable — you cannot say 'a tanning' when referring to a single batch of leather processing.

Common Mistakes

The company uses a special tanning to make their bags.
The company uses a special tanning process to make their bags.
'tanning' alone does not mean 'tanning process'; include 'process' when naming a method.

3. an act of hitting someone, especially a child on the bottom, as a way of punishi

3.nounB2
Definition

an act of hitting someone, especially a child on the bottom, as a way of punishing them for bad behaviour

Example

Grandpa used to say that a good tanning taught him respect as a child.

collocation: 'a good tanning'

After the prank, the boys feared a tanning from their strict uncle.

Common collocations
  • a good tanning
  • a proper tanning
  • give someone a tanning
Synonyms
  • spanking

    the most common modern term for hitting a child on the bottom as punishment; less old-fashioned than 'tanning'

  • hiding

    British informal term for a beating; similar register but does not specifically target the bottom

Grammar Patterns

a good tanning

give someone a tanning

Usage Note

This sense is informal and sounds somewhat old-fashioned in modern British English. It is rarely used in serious contexts today except humorously or in historical references. Unlike senses 1 and 2, this sense is countable: you can say 'gave him a tanning' (a single punishment event). The object of the punishment is usually a child, and the hitting is typically with an open hand on the bottom.

Common Mistakes

My boss gave me a tanning for being late.
My boss gave me a warning for being late.
'tanning' is only used for physical punishment of children, not for criticism of adults.

Word family

  • tan
    verbB1
  • tan
    nounB1
  • tanned
    adjectiveB1
  • tanner
    nounB2
  • tannery
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All three words involve exposure to the sun, but they highlight different aspects. 'Tanning' focuses on the darkening of the skin — either as a desired result ('She goes to the beach for tanning') or as an unintended effect ('the tanning of outdoor workers'). 'Sunbathing' describes the activity itself: lying or sitting in the sun, typically for pleasure or relaxation, whether or not the person actually darkens. 'Bronzing' is more cosmetic and aspirational — it emphasises achieving an attractive golden-brown colour, often through the use of lotions or sprays in addition to sunlight. You would say 'I went sunbathing yesterday' (activity), 'I noticed some tanning on my arms' (result), and 'This lotion gives a natural bronzing effect' (aesthetic quality).

tanning ↗sunbathingbronzing

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • tanning process
  • tanning industry
  • tanning session
  • tanning salon
  • tanning bed

Prepositions

  • tanning of (the skin / the hide)
  • tanning from (the sun / sunlight / sunbeds)

Etymology

Old EnglishMedieval LatinGaulishEnglish

The word 'tanning' comes from the verb 'tan', which originally meant 'to convert animal hide into leather'. This verb entered English from Old English 'tannian', which came from Medieval Latin 'tannare' ('to tan leather'), which in turn came from 'tannum' ('crushed oak bark' — the material used in the ancient tanning process). The sense of skin darkening in the sun developed around the 1700s, probably because the colour change reminded people of the colour that leather takes on during the tanning process. The informal sense of 'a beating' appeared in the 1800s, likely because a beating turns the skin red in a way that resembles the colour changes of leather tanning.