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Definition of sunburn

sunburn

/ˈsʌnˌbɜːrn/
sun · burn
Plural:sunburns
•
Adjective:sunburned
•
Past Simple:sunburned
•
Past Participle:sunburned
•
Present Participle:sunburning
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sunburn Lexical Profile

sunburn Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

Painful inflammation and reddening of the skin caused by overexposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun.

Example

"She forgot to apply sunscreen at the beach and ended up with a severe sunburn on her shoulders."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for sunburn

• verb

1

To suffer or cause painful inflammation and reddening of the skin from overexposure to sunlight.

Example

"People with fair complexions tend to sunburn easily during the summer months."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for sunburn

• Nearby Words

sunblind
sunblock
sunbonnet
sunburn
sunburned
sunburst
suncare

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the 16th century as a compound of 'sun' and 'burn', originally appearing as a back-formation from the adjective 'sunburned'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Sunburn. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/sunburn
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