sunbathe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sunbathe" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of lying in the sun to get a tan or enjoy the warmth. Example: "On sunny days, I love to sunbathe by the pool with a good book."

✓ Grammatically correct

Travel

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

At 21 she qualified as a nurse at Stockport College and rented a nearby flat, making frequent visits back home to borrow milk and money, and sunbathe in the garden.

The Guardian

The Hollywood film U-571 (2000), in which the Royal Navy's capture of an Enigma machine during the second world war is falsely attributed to an American crew (including chief engineer Jon Bon Jovi), was denounced in parliament by prime minister Tony Blair.

The Guardian - Film

U Myint Aye, aged 61, from Yangon, has a long track record of peaceful political activism.

The Guardian

Referring back to her iconic look in the Nothing Compares 2 U video – a huge international hit written by Prince – O'Connor admitted that she was asked by her label to reconsider her image for the 1990s video.

The Guardian - Music

In Britain, the US and France the top 1% have over the past 100 years seen their fortunes rise and fall and rise again in a U-shaped arc.

The Guardian - Business

Of these, Brundage sa id 85% – almost 600,000 – are unemployed even though many of them are employable.

The Guardian - Business

"This time it was União da Madeira, his eighth promotion, from the second division to the first tier (or seventh if we exclude last year as he was sacked before the end of the season): P. Ferreira 90-91, Académica 96-97, U. Leiria 97-98, Belenenses 98-99, Leixões 06-07, Arouca 12-13, Moreirense 13-14 and U. Madeira 14-15.

The Guardian - Sport

The U-6 number is around 13%, Yellen says.

The Guardian - Business

But on Thursday at an EU summit in Brussels, Luxembourg performed a U-turn and promised to hand over all the tax rulings to the commission after Vestager announced she was extending her inquiry to all 28 EU countries.

The Guardian

Indeed the pressure became so intense over the past 72 hours that the government was forced into an embarrassing U-turn over plans to cut allowances for younger disabled people in the republic.

The Guardian

"I guess it hurts 2 have the producers tell u to ur face that nicki is the best judge we've had since simon [cowell]," the rapper further tweeted.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sunbathe" to describe the activity of lying or sitting in the sun, especially for tanning or relaxation. It is suitable for travel writing, lifestyle articles, and general descriptions of leisure activities.

Common error

Avoid using "sunbathe" in contexts where the primary purpose is simply being outdoors, rather than intentionally exposing oneself to the sun for relaxation or tanning. Use more general terms like "relax in the sun" or "enjoy the sunshine" in those cases.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "sunbathe" is as an intransitive verb, describing the action of exposing oneself to the sun. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and examples show its common use in describing leisure activities.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Travel

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sunbathe" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb to describe the act of exposing oneself to the sun for leisure or tanning. Ludwig AI confirms this. It appears frequently in contexts such as travel and news, as indicated by the examples. While generally neutral in register, it is best used when the intention is specifically to enjoy or tan in the sun, rather than simply being outdoors. Alternatives include "bask in the sun" and "soak up the sun", each carrying slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bask in the sun

Emphasizes enjoying the warmth and light of the sun.

soak up the sun

Highlights the act of absorbing the sun's rays.

tan oneself

Focuses on the process of getting a tan.

sun oneself

A more formal way to say "sunbathe".

lie in the sun

Describes the physical act of being in the sun.

catch some rays

An informal expression for getting sun.

get a suntan

Focuses specifically on acquiring a tan.

bronze oneself

Emphasizes achieving a bronzed skin tone.

sun worship

Implies a devoted enjoyment of the sun.

relax in the sunshine

Highlights the relaxation aspect of being in the sun.

FAQs

How do I properly use "sunbathe" in a sentence?

Use "sunbathe" to describe the activity of intentionally exposing your body to the sun, usually for relaxation or to get a tan. For example: "On my vacation, I plan to "sunbathe" on the beach every day."

What are some alternatives to "sunbathe"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "bask in the sun", "soak up the sun", or "lie in the sun".

Is "sunbathe" formal or informal?

"Sunbathe" is generally considered a neutral term, suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although phrases like "sun oneself" might be slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "sunbathe" and "tan"?

"Sunbathe" refers to the activity of sitting or lying in the sun, whereas "tan" refers to the resulting darkening of the skin. You "sunbathe" to get a tan.