Difference Wiki

Tanned vs. White: What's the Difference?

Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on September 22, 2023
"Tanned" refers to skin darkened by sun exposure or artificial means. "White" can refer to a color, often associated with purity or cleanliness, or describe a person of a particular ethnic background.

Key Differences

"Tanned" generally refers to a darker skin tone achieved through exposure to sunlight or artificial UV radiation. The process of tanning is essentially the skin's way of protecting itself from further damage by UV rays. "White," on the other hand, can refer to a range of things, from the color opposite of black to describing people who are primarily of European descent. When used to describe skin color, "white" usually implies a lighter skin tone, often less prone to tanning.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
In certain cultural and geographical contexts, having "tanned" skin might be viewed as attractive or indicative of an active, outdoor lifestyle. Conversely, "white" skin has been variously associated with beauty, purity, or social status in different cultures and historical periods. These perceptions are culturally constructed and have evolved over time.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Grammatically, "tanned" is often used as an adjective or a past participle. For example, "He is tanned" or "She has tanned skin." "White" is primarily an adjective, as in "a white shirt" or "white skin." It can also serve as a noun when referring to the Caucasian race or the color itself, as in "whites" or "a palette of whites."
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
While both "tanned" and "white" can refer to human skin color, their implications go beyond mere description. "Tanned" can suggest that someone has recently been exposed to the sun or enjoys outdoor activities. "White" can imply a variety of meanings depending on the context—whether referring to color, race, or even symbolism like purity or innocence.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023

Comparison Chart

Part of Speech

Adjective, Past Participle
Adjective, Noun
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Sep 22, 2023
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Refers to

Darkened skin tone
Color, Ethnicity, Lighter skin tone
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023

Cultural Context

Often seen as attractive
Varied meanings in different cultures
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023

Usage in Sentences

"He is tanned"
"She is white"
Janet White
Sep 22, 2023

Symbolism

Active, outdoor lifestyle
Purity, cleanliness
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023

Tanned and White Definitions

Tanned

Artificially bronzed
He used a tanning bed to get tanned.
Sara Rehman
Sep 22, 2023
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White

Of European descent
She is white by ethnicity.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023

Tanned

Processed animal hide
The tanned leather was used for making shoes.
Harlon Moss
Sep 22, 2023

White

Symbol of purity
The white dove is a universal symbol of peace.
Janet White
Sep 22, 2023

Tanned

UV-induced skin color
Her tanned skin was a result of regular sunbathing.
Janet White
Sep 22, 2023

White

Lacking color
He was white as a sheet when he heard the news.
Sara Rehman
Sep 22, 2023
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Tanned

To convert (an animal hide) into leather by subjecting it to a chemical process that stabilizes the proteins, making it less susceptible to decay.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

The achromatic color of maximum lightness; the color of objects that reflect nearly all light of all visible wavelengths; the complement or antagonist of black, the other extreme of the neutral gray series. Although typically a response to maximum stimulation of the retina, the perception of white appears always to depend on contrast.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

Tanned

To make (a person or a person's skin) darker by exposure to the sun.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

The albumen of an egg.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

Tanned

To make (a person or a person's skin) darker by exposure to artificial sunlight or by the application of certain chemicals, often in the form of sprays or lotions.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

The white part of an eyeball.
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Apr 10, 2023

Tanned

(Informal) To thrash; beat.
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Apr 10, 2023

White

A blank or unprinted area, as of an advertisement.
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Apr 10, 2023

Tanned

To become darker from exposure to the sun or artificial sunlight, or from the application of certain chemicals.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

Whites Pieces of laundry having a white or nearly white color.
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Apr 10, 2023

Tanned

A light or moderate yellowish brown to brownish orange.
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Apr 10, 2023

White

Whites White pants or a white outfit of a special nature
Tennis whites.
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Apr 10, 2023

Tanned

A suntan.
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Apr 10, 2023

White

Whites The white dress uniform of the US Navy or Coast Guard.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

Tanned

An artificially created suntan.
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Apr 10, 2023

White

A white wine.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

Tanned

Tanbark.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

A white pigment.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

Tanned

Tannin.
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Apr 10, 2023

White

A white breed, species, or variety of animal.
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Apr 10, 2023

Tanned

A solution derived from tannin.
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Apr 10, 2023

White

Any of various butterflies of the subfamily Pierinae, characteristically having chiefly white wings often with black markings.
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Apr 10, 2023

Tanned

Light or moderate yellowish-brown to brownish-orange.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

Also White A member of a racial group having light-colored skin, especially when of European origin and in some classifications also when of Middle Eastern or North African origin.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

Tanned

Having a suntan or the appearance of a suntan.
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Apr 10, 2023

White

Often whites Products of a white color, such as flour, salt, and sugar.
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Apr 10, 2023

Tanned

Used in or relating to tanning.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

The white or light-colored pieces, as in chess.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

Tanned

Having a suntan.
You're looking very tanned.
Tanned bodies lying on the beach
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Apr 10, 2023

White

The player using these pieces.
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Apr 10, 2023

Tanned

(of leather) Finished, made using tannic acid (as opposed to abrasion).
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

The outermost ring of an archery target.
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Apr 10, 2023

Tanned

Simple past tense and past participle of tan
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Apr 10, 2023

White

A hit in this ring.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

Tanned

(of skin) having a tan color from exposure to the sun;
A young bronzed Apollo
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

Whites(Medicine) Leukorrhea.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

Tanned

Converted to leather by a tanning agent
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

White A member of a conservative or counterrevolutionary faction, especially one opposing the Bolsheviks in the Russian civil war.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

Tanned

Darkened by the sun
She got tanned after her beach vacation.
Harlon Moss
Sep 22, 2023

White

Being of the color white; devoid of hue, as new snow.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

Tanned

Descriptive of active lifestyle
His tanned complexion suggests he spends time outdoors.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023

White

Weakly colored; almost colorless; pale
White wine.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

Pale gray; silvery and lustrous
White hair.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

Bloodless; blanched.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

Light or whitish in color or having light or whitish parts. Used with animal and plant names.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

Also White Of or belonging to a racial group of people having light-colored skin, especially when of European origin, and in some classifications also when of Middle Eastern or North African origin
Voting patterns within the white population.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

Habited in white
White nuns.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

Accompanied by or mantled with snow
A white Christmas.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

Incandescent
White flames.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

Intensely heated; impassioned
White with fury.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

White Of or relating to a conservative or counterrevolutionary faction, especially one opposing the Bolsheviks in the Russian civil war.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

With milk added. Used of tea or coffee.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

(Archaic) Unsullied; pure.
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Apr 10, 2023

White

(Printing) To cover or make illegible with white coloring. Often used with out.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

Bright and colourless; reflecting equal quantities of all frequencies of visible light.
Write in black ink on white paper.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

(sometimes capitalized) Of or relating to Caucasians, people of European descent with light-coloured skin.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

Designated for use by Caucasians.
White drinking fountain
White hospital
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

Relatively light or pale in colour.
White wine
White grapes
White birch
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

Pale or pallid, as from fear, illness, etc.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

Lacking coloration (tan) from ultraviolet light; not tanned.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

Affected by leucism.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

(of coffee or tea) Containing cream, milk, or creamer.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

The standard denomination of the playing pieces of a board game deemed to belong to the white set, no matter what the actual colour.
The white pieces in this set are in fact made of light green glass.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

Pertaining to an ecclesiastical order whose adherents dress in white habits; Cistercian.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

Honourable, fair; decent.
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Apr 10, 2023

White

Grey, as from old age; having silvery hair; hoary.
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Apr 10, 2023

White

(archaic) Characterized by freedom from that which disturbs, and the like; fortunate; happy; favourable.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

(obsolete) Regarded with especial favour; favourite; darling.
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Apr 10, 2023

White

(politics) Pertaining to constitutional or anti-revolutionary political parties or movements.
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Apr 10, 2023

White

(of tea) Made from immature leaves and shoots.
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Apr 10, 2023

White

(typography) Not containing characters; see white space.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

(typography) Said of a symbol or character outline, not solid, not filled with color. Compare said of a character or symbol filled with color.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

Characterised by the presence of snow.
A white Christmas
A white Easter
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

(of a set of armor) Alwhite, pertaining to white armor.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

The color/colour of snow or milk; the colour of light containing equal amounts of all visible wavelengths.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

A person of European descent with light-coloured skin.
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Apr 10, 2023

White

Any butterfly of the subfamily Pierinae in the family Pieridae.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

White wine.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

White coffee
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

(countable) Any object or substance that is of the color white.
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Apr 10, 2023

White

The albumen of bird eggs (egg white).
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Apr 10, 2023

White

(anatomy) The sclera, white of the eye.
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Apr 10, 2023

White

The cue ball in cue games.
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Apr 10, 2023

White

Cocaine
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

The snow- or ice-covered "green" in snow golf.
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Apr 10, 2023

White

A white pigment.
Venice white
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Apr 10, 2023

White

A white bean
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

(archery) The central part of the butt, which was formerly painted white; the centre of a mark at which a missile is shot.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

The enclosed part of a letter of the alphabet, especially when handwritten.
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Apr 10, 2023

White

A feather, from the wing of the cock ostrich, that is of the palest possible shade.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

(transitive) To make white; to whiten; to bleach.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

Reflecting to the eye all the rays of the spectrum combined; not tinted with any of the proper colors or their mixtures; having the color of pure snow; snowy; - the opposite of black or dark; as, white paper; a white skin.
White as the whitest lily on a stream.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

Destitute of color, as in the cheeks, or of the tinge of blood color; pale; pallid; as, white with fear.
Or whispering with white lips, "The foe!They come! they come!"
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

Having the color of purity; free from spot or blemish, or from guilt or pollution; innocent; pure.
White as thy fame, and as thy honor clear.
No whiter page than Addison's remains.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

Gray, as from age; having silvery hair; hoary.
Your high engendered battles 'gainst a headSo old and white as this.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

Characterized by freedom from that which disturbs, and the like; fortunate; happy; favorable.
On the whole, however, the dominie reckoned this as one of the white days of his life.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

Regarded with especial favor; favorite; darling.
Come forth, my white spouse.
I am his white boy, and will not be gullet.
Driving their cattle continually with them, and feeding only upon their milk and white meats.
A pistol charged with white powder.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

Something having the color of snow; something white, or nearly so; as, the white of the eye.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

Specifically, the central part of the butt in archery, which was formerly painted white; the center of a mark at which a missile is shot.
'T was I won the wager, though you hit the white.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

A person with a white skin; a member of the white, or Caucasian, races of men.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

A white pigment; as, Venice white.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

Any one of numerous species of butterflies belonging to Pieris, and allied genera in which the color is usually white. See Cabbage butterfly, under Cabbage.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

To make white; to whiten; to whitewash; to bleach.
Whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of . . . uncleanness.
So as no fuller on earth can white them.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

A member of the Caucasoid race
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

The quality or state of the achromatic color of greatest lightness (bearing the least resemblance to black)
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

Australian writer (1912-1990)
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

United States political journalist (1915-1986)
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

United States architect (1853-1906)
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Apr 10, 2023

White

United States writer noted for his humorous essays (1899-1985)
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Apr 10, 2023

White

United States educator who in 1865 (with Ezra Cornell) founded Cornell University and served as its first president (1832-1918)
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

A tributary of the Mississippi River that flows southeastward through northern Arkansas and southern Missouri
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

(board games) the lighter pieces
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

(usually in the plural) trousers
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

Turn white;
This detergent will whiten your laundry
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

Being of the achromatic color of maximum lightness; having little or no hue owing to reflection of almost all incident light;
As white as fresh snow
A bride's white dress
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

Of or belonging to a racial group having light skin coloration;
Voting patterns within the white population
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

Free from moral blemish or impurity; unsullied;
In shining white armor
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

Marked by the presence of snow;
A white Christmas
The white hills of a northern winter
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

Restricted to whites only;
Under segregation there were even white restrooms and white drinking fountains
A lily-white movement which would expel Negroes from the organization
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

Glowing white with heat;
White flames
A white-hot center of the fire
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

Benevolent; without malicious intent;
White magic
A white lie
That's white of you
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

Of a surface; not written or printed on;
Blank pages
Fill in the blank spaces
A clean page
Wide white margins
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

(of coffee) having cream or milk added
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

Dressed (or especially habited) in white;
White nuns
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

(of hair) having lost its color;
The white hairs of old age
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

Ash-colored or anemic looking from illness or emotion;
A face turned ashen
The invalid's blanched cheeks
Tried to speak with bloodless lips
A face livid with shock
Lips...livid with the hue of death
Lips white with terror
A face white with rage
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

Of summer nights in northern latitudes where the sun barely sets;
White nights
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023

White

Color opposite of black
He painted the wall white.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 22, 2023

White

Denoting lightness or fairness
Her white skin was sensitive to the sun.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 22, 2023

FAQs

Is tanning healthy?

Excessive tanning can be harmful and increase the risk of skin cancer.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 22, 2023

Can you get tanned in a tanning bed?

Yes, tanning beds can produce a tanned appearance, though they carry health risks.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023

Is white a color?

In terms of light, white is a combination of all colors. In pigment, it is the absence of color.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 22, 2023

Is tanned skin permanent?

No, tanned skin usually fades over time without continued sun exposure.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023

Is tanned skin more resistant to sunburn?

To some extent, but tanned skin is not a substitute for sunscreen.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023

Is 'white' used in other contexts?

Yes, 'white' can refer to emotions like fear or surprise, e.g., "white as a ghost."
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023

What does 'whitewashing' mean?

Whitewashing can refer to covering up flaws or underrepresentation of non-white characters in media.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 22, 2023

Can everyone's skin get tanned?

Some people tan more easily than others due to differences in skin type.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 22, 2023

What is 'sunless tanning'?

Sunless tanning refers to products like sprays or lotions that can simulate a tanned appearance.
Sara Rehman
Sep 22, 2023

What does 'white' mean in racial terms?

"White" often refers to people primarily of European descent.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023

Can 'white' refer to things other than race and color?

Yes, 'white' can symbolize purity or cleanliness, among other meanings.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 22, 2023

Are tanning products safe?

The safety of tanning products varies; always read labels and consult with healthcare providers.
Harlon Moss
Sep 22, 2023

What is 'white noise'?

White noise is a consistent sound that drowns out other noises, not related to color or race.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023

How do you maintain a tan?

Maintaining a tan usually requires ongoing sun exposure or use of tanning products, but it's important to do so safely.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023

Is white always associated with purity?

The association between white and purity is largely cultural and can vary.
Sara Rehman
Sep 22, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira Riaz
Sawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Huma Saeed
Huma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.

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