Sunbathe
SUN-bayth
/ˈsʌnbeɪð/
To sit or lie in sunlight, usually outdoors, in order to tan or warm one's body.
Focuses on intentional bodily exposure to sunlight for relaxation or skin tanning.
The story behind the word. Formed by combining 'sun' with 'bathe' (Old English baþian), literally meaning to immerse oneself in solar light as if bathing in water.
Word relationships
- tan: Tanning focuses on changing skin pigmentation, whereas sunbathing refers to the activity of lying in the sun itself.
- bask: Bask is broader and poetic, referring to enjoying any form of warmth or glory, whereas sunbathe specifically means exposing one's body to sunlight.
- seek shade: Seeking shade means deliberately avoiding solar exposure.
Commonly confused with
- sunburn: Sunbathing is the voluntary action, whereas sunburn is the painful inflammatory skin condition resulting from overexposure.
Word family
- sunbather (noun): a person who sunbathes
- sunbathing (noun): the action of lying in the sun
Collocations
- sunbathe on the beach
- sunbathe safely
- lie down to sunbathe
- sunbathe by the pool
Example sentences
- "Vacationers prefer to sunbathe on towels laid out along the pristine white beach." Holiday pastime
- "She decided to sunbathe near the edge of the hotel pool while reading a paperback novel." Resort activity
Memory hook
Take a BATH in SUNlight—you are SUNBATHING. Bathe in the sun's warm rays.
When not to use
Do not use for passive exposure while working outdoors or walking; it implies deliberate relaxation.
Fun facts
- Sunbathing became popular as a health trend in Europe during the 1920s when Coco Chanel made golden tans fashionable after returning from the French Riviera.
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