tawny

[ taw-nee ]

adjective

, taw·ni·er, taw·ni·est.

1. of a dark yellowish or dull yellowish-brown color.

noun

1. a shade of brown tinged with yellow; dull yellowish brown.

tawny

/ ˈtɔːnɪ /

noun

1. 1. a light brown to brownish-orange colour
   2. ( as adjective )

      tawny port

Derived Forms

• ˈtawniness, noun

Other Words From

• tawni·ly adverb
• tawni·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of tawny¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English tauny, from Anglo-French taune, from Middle French tané, past participle of taner “to tan”; tan ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of tawny¹

C14: from Old French tané, from taner to tan ¹

Example Sentences

The young tawny cougar with the broad, handsome features headed east for nearly 50 miles to escape his father, wandering through whatever green spaces he could find “and probably more than few backyards,” Pratt said.

From Los Angeles Times

He had seen tawny owls in the neighbourhood before but was surprised to discover these so close to the heart of the city.

From BBC

Sasha had been watching these tawny owlets for several days in a park near his home.

From BBC

Nestled on a back road in the tawny foothills of Santa Barbara County, the elegant estate is one in a long string of luxury homes owned by wealthy Democratic Party donors that have hosted the Bidens in recent years.

From Los Angeles Times

About 2,000 buildings were under evacuation orders and warnings, according to Tawny Castro, a spokesperson for Cal Fire’s Riverside County unit.

From Los Angeles Times