sunbathe

1 of 2

verb

sun·​bathe ˈsən-ˌbāt͟h How to pronounce sunbathe (audio)
sunbathed; sunbathing; sunbathes

intransitive verb

: to take a sunbath
sunbather
ˈsən-ˌbā-t͟hər How to pronounce sunbathe (audio)
noun

sunbather

2 of 2

noun

: one that takes sunbaths

Examples of sunbathe in a Sentence

Verb People were sunbathing on the beach.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Snacking is necessary to keep the whole group sustained while sunbathing. — Patricia S York, Southern Living, 4 July 2026 The pools are shallow, great for both sunbathing and entertaining young kids. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 July 2026 Sweeney modeled a white button-up from Syrn’s Playful collection while sunbathing in the preppy string bikini, which was covered in green and white vertical stripes. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 27 June 2026 Swimmers sunbathe on the banks of the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris as France experiences a heat wave on June 20, 2026. — Duarte Dias, CBS News, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for sunbathe

Word History

Etymology

Verb

back-formation from sunbather

Noun

sun entry 1 + bather

First Known Use

Verb

1917, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sunbathe was in 1917

Rhymes for sunbathe

See All Rhymes for sunbathe

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Sunbathe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sunbathe. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

sunbathe

verb
sun·​bathe -ˌbāt͟h How to pronounce sunbathe (audio)
: to expose oneself to sunlight or a sunlamp especially to get a tan
sunbather
-ˌbā-t͟hər How to pronounce sunbathe (audio)
noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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