tanning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tanning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the process of darkening the skin through exposure to sunlight or artificial light sources. Example: "After spending a week at the beach, I noticed that my tanning had reached a perfect golden brown."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Tanning studied only briefly (about three weeks) at the Chicago Academy of Art before moving in 1936 to New York City, where she established a studio but made her living as a fashion illustrator.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For his researches on voltaic cells, tanning, and mineral analysis, he received the Copley Medal in 1805.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Medicines, including quinine, were obtained from trees, as were dyes, tanning materials, and spices.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Its industries include manufacturing, tanning, weaving, and carpentry in addition to a large sporting-goods industry.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Pecan shells are used in place of gravel in cement walks and driveways; as fuel; as mulch and as a soil conditioner; in livestock bedding; as filler for fertilizers, feeds, etc.; in the manufacture of tanning agents, with charcoal and abrasives in hand soap; as a filler in plastic and veneer wood; and many of the same uses as black walnut shells.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The best known is the Pascha centre in Cologne, a 126-room complex with its own restaurant, beauty centre, boutique, laundry, tanning salon and bistro.

The Guardian

Handling meat and tanning leather are considered unclean in Hinduism, so the factory was built out of sight, on an island, with villagers of the lowly Koli fishing caste mending their nets on its shore.

The Economist

A youthful communist took offence when questioned about her designer jeans.Nearby, two young women advertised a special promotion at a local tanning studio.

The Economist

Far more difficult to control are the thousands of smaller factories that have sprung up in the Huai River basin in recent years, many of them highly polluting paper mills and dyeing and tanning plants run by towns or villages.In the coming years the task of cleaning up China's rivers will become ever more arduous.

The Economist

Clement Chen, the chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, says the Chinese government is understandably clamping down on lots of dirty industries leather tanning, dyeing, finishing, electroplating, and the like but that this can disrupt the broader manufacturing supply chain, including industries China wants to develop.

The Economist

Mr Kadam is a dhor, of the dalit tanning caste.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tanning", be mindful of the context. It can refer to both darkening of the skin and the industrial process of leather making. Ensure clarity to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming "tanning" always refers to skin darkening. In industrial or historical contexts, it often refers to leather production. Consider the domain in which you are writing.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "tanning" is as a noun, referring to the process of darkening skin or treating leather. It can also function as a verb, specifically the present participle of "tan", as seen in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

33%

News & Media

28%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "tanning" has multiple meanings, referring both to the process of darkening skin and to the industrial treatment of leather. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English, and the frequency analysis indicates it's a very common term across encyclopedias and news media. When using "tanning", consider the context to ensure clarity, as it can relate to cosmetic practices or industrial processes. Alternative terms like "sunbathing" or "leather production" can provide more specific meaning when needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sunbathing

Focuses specifically on acquiring a tan through sun exposure.

bronzing

Emphasizes the result of acquiring a bronze skin tone, whether natural or artificial.

sun tanning

Explicitly refers to tanning achieved through sunlight.

artificial tanning

Specifies that the tanning process is achieved through artificial means like tanning beds or sprays.

leather production

Shifts the focus to the industrial process of making leather, one of the meanings of "tanning".

leather processing

Another way to refer to the activities associated with the production of leather.

skin darkening

Describes the process in terms of changing skin pigmentation.

developing a tan

Highlights the process of gradually acquiring a tan.

getting a tan

A more common, colloquial way to refer to the same process.

hide curing

Focuses on a specific step in the leather production process.

FAQs

What are the different methods of "tanning" the skin?

Skin "tanning" can be achieved through natural sunlight, artificial ultraviolet (UV) light from tanning beds, or sunless tanning products like lotions and sprays.

How does "tanning" affect the skin?

"Tanning", whether from the sun or artificial sources, increases melanin production, which can lead to premature aging, skin damage, and increased risk of skin cancer.

What is the process of "tanning" leather?

Leather "tanning" involves treating animal hides to prevent decomposition, making them durable and resistant to water. This process uses various chemical or natural agents, such as chromium salts or vegetable tannins.

What can I say instead of "tanning" when referring to sun exposure?

You can use alternatives like "sunbathing", "sunning", or "bronzing" depending on the context.