# dun

/ˈdən/ (US) · /dˈʌn/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dun
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a dull, greyish-brown colour. You use this to describe things that look a bit dusty or plain, like a horse's coat or a cloudy sky.

For teachers: of a dull, brownish-grey colour. Often used in descriptive or literary contexts to characterise the appearance of animals or landscapes.

## Examples

- The horse has a beautiful dun coat.
- The hills looked dun and lifeless under the heavy winter clouds.
- The artist used a palette of dun and ochre to capture the somber atmosphere of the moorland during the twilight hours.

## Usage notes

- Typically used as an attributive adjective before a noun.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.