sunbathe
B1Informal, everyday. Neutral to positive connotation in appropriate contexts.
Definition
Meaning
To sit or lie in the sun, especially in order to get a suntan.
To expose oneself deliberately to sunlight, typically for leisure, health (vitamin D), or cosmetic purposes (tanning). Can imply a period of relaxation.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies a deliberate, leisure-time activity. Not simply 'being in the sun' (e.g., while working). The process is sunbathing; the person is a sunbather.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The gerund/noun form 'sunbathing' is equally common in both. Spelling is consistent.
Connotations
Similar positive/leisure connotations in both. Strongly associated with holiday/vacation culture.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in UK English due to the cultural emphasis on seeking sun during limited sunny periods ('making the most of the sun').
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] sunbathes[Subject] sunbathes [Adverbial of place][Subject] is sunbathingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Catch some rays (informal synonym)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might appear in tourism/hospitality contexts (e.g., 'The hotel terrace is perfect for sunbathing').
Academic
Very rare. Possibly in dermatology or public health studies about UV exposure.
Everyday
Very common, especially in conversations about holidays, weekends, weather, and leisure.
Technical
Not used. Terms like 'UV exposure' or 'heliotherapy' are used instead.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We're hoping to sunbathe in the garden if the weather holds.
- She sunbathed for an hour before the clouds rolled in.
American English
- They love to sunbathe by the pool on vacation.
- He's sunbathing on the deck to get some color.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable (no standard adverb form). 'Sunbathingly' is non-standard.
American English
- Not applicable (no standard adverb form).
adjective
British English
- The sunny side of the hotel is the preferred sunbathing spot.
- She bought a new sunbathing mat.
American English
- The south-facing patio is ideal for sunbathing purposes.
- They looked for a good sunbathing location on the beach.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I like to sunbathe in summer.
- They are sunbathing on the beach.
- If you sunbathe for too long, you will get sunburn.
- We found a quiet spot to sunbathe away from the crowd.
- Despite the health warnings, many tourists continue to sunbathe for hours without adequate protection.
- The terrace, designed for sunbathing, gets sunlight from noon until sunset.
- Her dermatologist advised against sunbathing altogether, recommending vitamin D supplements instead.
- The cultural propensity to sunbathe is often at odds with campaigns promoting skin cancer awareness.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the word split: SUN + BATHE. You are 'bathing' in the sunlight.
Conceptual Metaphor
SUNLIGHT IS A LIQUID (to bathe in it).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'sunburn' (солнечный ожог). 'Sunbathe' is the activity (загорать).
- Avoid using 'sunbath' as a verb; the verb is always 'sunbathe'. 'Sunbath' as a noun is rare.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'I made a sunbathe.' Correct: 'I went sunbathing.' / 'I had a sunbathing session.'
- Incorrect: 'He sunbathed himself.' Correct: 'He sunbathed.' (The verb is reflexive in meaning).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'sunbathe' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an informal, everyday word. In formal or medical contexts, terms like 'expose oneself to sunlight' or 'UV exposure' are preferred.
'Sunbathe' describes the activity of lying in the sun. 'Tan' (verb) describes the process of the skin becoming darker as a result of that activity. You sunbathe to get a tan.
Yes. The past tense is 'sunbathed' (pronounced /ˈsʌn.beɪðd/). Example: 'Yesterday, we sunbathed for an hour.'
This is understood but non-standard and rare. The natural phrases are 'I am sunbathing' or 'I am going for a sunbathe' (UK informal).