Definition

Adjective: - Not converted into leather through the process of tanning; not treated with tannins or other agents to preserve and soften animal hide. - (Of skin) Not darkened or bronzed by exposure to the sun; pale.

Usage

The adjective "untanned" is used to describe materials, especially animal hides, that have not undergone the tanning process. It is also used to describe human skin that lacks a sun-induced color.

Examples

• Describing Materials:
  • The artisan prefers working with untanned leather for its natural texture.
  • These untanned hides will spoil if they are not treated soon.
• Describing Skin:
  • After a long winter, his arms were pale and untanned.
  • She protected her untanned skin with a high-SPF sunscreen.

Advanced Usage

• In Contrast to "Tanned": "Untanned" is often used to highlight a lack of processing or exposure, directly contrasting with its opposite.
  • The final product uses a combination of untanned and tanned strips for visual contrast.

Variants and Related Words

• Tan (verb): To convert (hide) into leather, or to cause (skin) to darken in the sun.
• Tannery (noun): A place where hides are tanned.
• Sun-tanned (adjective): Having skin darkened by the sun.

Synonyms

• Unprocessed (for hides)
• Raw (for hides)
• Pale, Fair (for skin)

Antonyms

• Tanned
• Cured (for leather)
• Bronzed, Sun-kissed (for skin)

Adjective

1. not converted to leather by a tanning agent
   • a whip made of untanned hide