English Reference
noun

tanner

n.
US /ˈtænɝ/ UK /tˈænɐ/ tan·ner UK spelling tanner's, tanner's

  1. 01 C1 Advanced Technical

    a person whose job is to turn animal skins into leather.

    a person who treats animal hides with tannin or other chemicals to produce leather.

    Simple

    The tanner worked all day in the shop to prepare the leather for the boots.

    In context

    Historically, the tanner was often relegated to the outskirts of the city due to the pungent odours associated with the chemical treatment of hides.

    leatherworker
  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    a person who applies a tan to someone's skin, often using a spray.

    a professional who applies cosmetic tanning products, such as spray tans, to a client's skin.

    Simple

    She visited a professional tanner to get a healthy glow before her wedding.

    In context

    The salon hired an experienced tanner who specialised in achieving a natural-looking finish without the streaks common in DIY applications.

  3. 03 C2 Proficiency British EnglishArchaicInformal

    a slang name for an old British coin worth six pence.

    a colloquial term for the pre-decimal British sixpence coin.

    Simple

    My grandfather told me he could buy a lot of sweets for a tanner when he was a boy.

    In context

    The term tanner remained in common usage until decimalisation in 1971 rendered the old sixpence obsolete in daily commerce.

    sixpence
This entry
Level C2 · Proficiency
Frequency Frequent
Updated