adjective / noun
tawny
TAW-nee/ˈtɔːni/
A warm yellowish-brown color.
The lion has tawny fur around its calm face.
Etymology
Old French taner meant to tan hides; its participle described the brownish-yellow of tanned leather. That leather color supplies the connection to tawny's brownish-orange shade.
In context
A Brindle Dog Coat: What Is It? A brindle dog coat has a brown or tawny base with lighter flecks
More examples
- The dry grass turns tawny by late summer.
- Her tawny leather boots match her brown jacket.
- She chooses a warm tawny for the living room walls.
Forms
tawny · tawnier · tawniest
Similar words
- tan
- Often a lighter brown, with less golden or orange warmth.
- ocher
- Usually more yellow and associated with an earthy pigment.