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Definition of sunscreen
sunscreen
/ˈsʌnˌskriːn/
sun · screen
Plural:sunscreens
sunscreen Lexical Profile
CEFR
A2
Grade
4
Tier
2
Usage
Top 5k
Syllables
2
sunscreen Game Scores & Validity
Scrabble US
Scrabble UK
WWF
Wordle Guess
• noun
1
A topical lotion, spray, or gel applied to the skin to absorb or reflect the sun's ultraviolet radiation, thereby protecting against sunburn and long-term skin damage.
Example
"Dermatologists strongly recommend applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen every two hours when spending time outdoors."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for sunscreenWord Origin & Etymology
A compound of 'sun' and 'screen', coined in the mid-20th century to describe commercial products designed to filter or block harmful ultraviolet radiation.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Sunscreen. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/sunscreen