tanning
tanning — noun
1. the process in which a person's skin becomes darker after they spend time in the
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
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'
Obi's dermatologist warned him that excessive tanning damages skin cells over time.
Artificial tanning from sunbeds can be just as harmful as natural sunlight.
Amani decided to give up tanning after noticing dark spots on her cheeks.
- 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
文法句型
the tanning of + noun
adjective + tanning
tanning + noun (modifier)
用法筆記
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'.
常見錯誤
2. the industrial or craft process of treating animal skins with chemicals or natur
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
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.
Modern tanning factories use chromium salts to turn raw animal hides into soft, durable leather.
Traditional tanning methods use tree bark and plant extracts instead of synthetic chemicals.
- 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
文法句型
the + noun + of tanning
tanning + industry/factory/process
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
3. an act of hitting someone, especially a child on the bottom, as a way of punishi
an act of hitting someone, especially a child on the bottom, as a way of punishing them for bad behaviour
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.
Joon told his son that a tanning was how adults used to punish misbehaving children.
The old teacher believed a proper tanning would correct bad behaviour in the classroom.
文法句型
a good tanning
give someone a tanning
用法筆記
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.