sunburn: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Everyday, informal, medical
Quick answer
What does “sunburn” mean?
Reddening and inflammation of the skin caused by overexposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Reddening and inflammation of the skin caused by overexposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun.
Can refer to the painful, red, and sometimes blistered condition itself, or to the act of becoming sunburned. Informally, can describe intense discomfort or pain resulting from such exposure.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, the past participle 'sunburnt' is more common than 'sunburned'. In American English, both 'sunburned' and 'sunburnt' are used, with 'sunburned' being more frequent.
Connotations
Similar connotations of pain, discomfort, and often carelessness or lack of protection. Used identically in warnings and health advice.
Frequency
Equally common in both dialects due to shared health concerns.
Grammar
How to Use “sunburn” in a Sentence
VERB + sunburn: get, have, suffer from, prevent, treatADJ + sunburn: bad, severe, painful, mildVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sunburn” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Be careful, you'll sunburn your shoulders.
- I always sunburnt terribly as a child.
American English
- If you don't wear sunscreen, you will sunburn.
- She sunburned her nose at the beach.
adverb
British English
- (Rarely used as a pure adverb; typically 'sunburned' as adjective participle)
American English
- (Rarely used as a pure adverb; typically 'sunburned' as adjective participle)
adjective
British English
- He came back from holiday with a sunburnt neck.
- Sunburnt skin needs aloe vera.
American English
- She has sunburned shoulders from hiking.
- Avoid sunburned skin with proper protection.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in tourism/health product marketing (e.g., 'Our lotion prevents sunburn').
Academic
Used in dermatology, public health, and medical research papers.
Everyday
Very common in casual conversation, especially in summer, holidays, and health advice.
Technical
Used in dermatology as a specific type of photodermatosis.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sunburn”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sunburn”
- Using 'sunburn' as only an uncountable noun (correct: 'I have a bad sunburn').
- Confusing 'sunburnt' (adj.) with 'sunburned' (past tense verb) in context.
- Misspelling as 'sun burn' (should be one word or hyphenated).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is primarily a noun, but it can also be used as a verb (e.g., 'I sunburn easily').
Both are correct past participles/adjectives. 'Sunburnt' is more common in British English, while 'sunburned' is more common in American English.
Rarely. It is almost exclusively used for the physical skin condition caused by UV radiation. Metaphorical use (e.g., 'His criticism gave me a sunburn') is highly informal and atypical.
Cool compresses, aloe vera gel, hydration, and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory pain relievers can help soothe the symptoms. Severe cases with blistering require medical attention.
Reddening and inflammation of the skin caused by overexposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun.
Sunburn is usually everyday, informal, medical in register.
Sunburn: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsʌnbɜːn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsʌnbɜːrn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “As red as a lobster (describing severe sunburn)”
- “Fried to a crisp”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SUN + BURN: The SUN BURNs your skin.
Conceptual Metaphor
HEALTH IS A RESOURCE / DAMAGE IS A BURDEN (e.g., 'I'm paying for yesterday's sunburn').
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'sunburn' correctly as a verb?