sunbed: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to Informal
Quick answer
What does “sunbed” mean?
A long, folding chair, typically made of canvas or plastic strips on a frame, used for lying on in the sun.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A long, folding chair, typically made of canvas or plastic strips on a frame, used for lying on in the sun.
1. A piece of furniture for sunbathing outdoors (e.g., by a pool or at the beach). 2. (Chiefly British) A device or bed equipped with ultraviolet lamps used for artificial tanning.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'sunbed' commonly refers to both an outdoor lounger and an indoor tanning device. In American English, the outdoor lounger is more often called a 'lounger', 'chaise longue', or 'beach chair'. The indoor tanning device is almost exclusively called a 'tanning bed' in AmE.
Connotations
In BrE, the 'indoor sunbed' carries public health warnings and connotations of artificial/risky tanning. The 'outdoor sunbed' connotes leisure, holidays, and relaxation.
Frequency
Very high frequency in BrE for both meanings. Lower frequency in AmE, where other terms are preferred for the outdoor item.
Grammar
How to Use “sunbed” in a Sentence
rent [a sunbed] from [the hotel]lie [on a sunbed]book [a sunbed session]use [a sunbed] for [tanning]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sunbed” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She sunbeds twice a week to maintain her colour.
- I wouldn't sunbed without goggles.
American English
- (Rare as verb; 'uses a tanning bed' is preferred) She tans in a bed twice a week.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable
American English
- Not applicable
adjective
British English
- (Attributive use only) sunbed session, sunbed salon, sunbed tan
American English
- (Attributive use rare) tanning-bed salon
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In tourism/hospitality: 'The resort charges €10 per day for a sunbed.'
Academic
Rare. May appear in public health studies: 'The study correlated sunbed use with melanoma risk.'
Everyday
High frequency in holiday/travel contexts: 'Let's grab those two sunbeds before they're taken.'
Technical
In dermatology/cosmetic technology: 'The sunbed emits UVA and UVB radiation.'
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sunbed”
- Using 'sunbed' in American English where 'lounger' is more natural. Confusing 'sunbed' (furniture) with 'sunshade' (for protection). Incorrect: 'I put my towel on the sunbed' (correct: 'I put my towel on the sunbed').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A sunbed is typically a long, horizontal lounger for lying flat or reclining. A deckchair is a folding chair with a seat of canvas, usually for sitting upright or slightly reclined.
Major health organizations advise against it, as UV radiation from tanning beds is a known carcinogen and increases the risk of skin cancer significantly.
Yes, in informal British English (e.g., 'She sunbeds regularly'), but it is considered non-standard and is much less common than phrases like 'use a sunbed'.
Terms like 'lounger', 'chaise longue', 'beach chair', or 'sun lounger' are more common than 'sunbed' in American English for the outdoor item.
A long, folding chair, typically made of canvas or plastic strips on a frame, used for lying on in the sun.
Sunbed is usually neutral to informal in register.
Sunbed: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsʌnbɛd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsʌnˌbɛd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[He's] been on the sunbed too long (humorous comment on an unnatural tan)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of it as a BED for enjoying the SUN. Two words combined: SUN + BED.
Conceptual Metaphor
LEISURE IS HORIZONTAL (lying down = relaxing), ARTIFICIAL IS DANGEROUS (for tanning beds).
Practice
Quiz
In American English, what is the most common term for the indoor tanning device called a 'sunbed' in British English?