sun bath: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Informal
Quick answer
What does “sun bath” mean?
An instance of lying in the sun to tan or for relaxation.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An instance of lying in the sun to tan or for relaxation.
The act or practice of exposing the body to sunlight, especially for health or pleasure; a session of sunbathing.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In American English, 'sunbath' is more commonly written as one word ('sunbath') or as the verb 'sunbathe'. The two-word form is less frequent. British English retains the two-word form slightly more often.
Connotations
Both varieties associate it with leisure, holidays, and tanning. It can have a slightly dated or formal tone compared to 'sunbathe'.
Frequency
The term is less common than the verb 'sunbathe' or the noun 'sunbathing' in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “sun bath” in a Sentence
take [DET] sun bathhave [DET] sun bath[ADJ] sun bathVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sun bath” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They love to sunbathe on the patio.
- I'm going to sunbathe for an hour.
American English
- We sunbathed by the pool all afternoon.
- She prefers to sunbathe in the morning.
adverb
British English
- They lay sunbathingly on the rocks. (Rare/Uncommon)
- She spent the day sunbathingly. (Rare/Uncommon)
American English
- (No standard adverbial form from 'sun bath'; 'sunbathe' is a verb.)
adjective
British English
- The sun-bathing tourists filled the beach.
- She bought a new sunbathing towel.
American English
- The sunbathing area was crowded.
- He forgot his sunbathing lotion.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. May appear in tourism marketing: 'The hotel terrace is perfect for a morning sun bath.'
Academic
Used in historical or anthropological contexts describing health practices.
Everyday
Common in casual conversation about holidays, weather, and leisure activities.
Technical
Used in dermatology and health sciences to discuss UV exposure risks and benefits.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sun bath”
- Using 'sun bath' as a verb (correct verb: 'sunbathe').
- Spelling as one word inconsistently.
- Confusing with 'sunbathe' (verb) in sentence structure.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is most commonly written as two separate words, though the hyphenated form 'sun-bath' and the single word 'sunbath' are also found, especially in American English.
'Sun bath' is a noun referring to the activity or instance. 'Sunbathe' is a verb meaning to take a sun bath.
In moderation and with proper protection (sunscreen), it can help produce vitamin D. However, excessive exposure increases the risk of skin cancer and premature aging.
No, the correct verb form is 'to sunbathe'. Using 'sun bath' as a verb (e.g., 'I sun bath') is incorrect.
An instance of lying in the sun to tan or for relaxation.
Sun bath is usually informal in register.
Sun bath: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsʌn ˌbɑːθ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsʌn ˌbæθ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “catch some rays”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the SUN giving you a BATH of warm light.
Conceptual Metaphor
SUN IS A CLEANSING AGENT / HEALTH GIVER.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'sun bath' correctly?