sun
gb/sˈʌn/ us/sˈʌn/
A1
English
~ 1100
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A1
entity
1
the star Earth orbits
The big bright star in the sky that gives Earth light and warmth.
Usage pattern:
the sun [verb]
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'sun' with 'son', which are pronounced the same but have different meanings.
Synonyms
star (A general term for a luminous celestial body, but not specific to the Sun.)
Antonyms
moon (The Moon is Earth's natural satellite and does not emit light like the Sun.)
Collocations
bright sun
|hot sun
|the rising sun
|the setting sun
|direct sun
Themes
science
|nature
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The sun rises in the east and sets in the west.
- We enjoyed a picnic under the warm sun.
- The sun is about 93 million miles from Earth.
- Too much time in the sun can cause sunburn.
- The sun's gravity keeps the planets in orbit.
Learner examples
- The sun is bright.
- I see the sun in the morning.
- The sun is hot.
- We sit in the sun.
- The sun gives us light.
Noun
A1
entity
2
light or warmth from the Sun
Light or heat from the Sun.
Usage pattern:
in the sun
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'under the sun' literally when it is often idiomatic.
Synonyms
sunlight (Specifically refers to light from the Sun.)
|
sunshine (Often used to mean pleasant sunlight.)
Antonyms
shade (An area sheltered from sunlight.)
Collocations
warm sun
|morning sun
|afternoon sun
|direct sun
Themes
nature
|daily life
|weather
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The cat lay in the sun all afternoon.
- Too much sun can damage your skin.
- We need to protect the plants from direct sun.
Learner examples
- I like to sit in the sun.
- The flowers grow in the sun.
- We play in the sun.
Verb
B1
action
3
expose to sunlight
To put something in sunlight so it can get warm or dry.
Usage pattern:
to sun [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'sun' as a verb with 'shine', which describes emitting light rather than receiving it.
Synonyms
sunbathe (Refers specifically to lying in the Sun for leisure or tanning.)
Antonyms
shade (To protect from sunlight instead of exposing to it.)
Collocations
sun yourself
|sun clothes
|sun seeds
Themes
daily life
|daily_life
|health
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She likes to sun herself by the pool.
- Farmers often sun their crops before storage.
- I sunned my wet shoes on the balcony.
Learner examples
- I sun my clothes outside.
- The cat suns itself on the porch.
- We sun our blankets.
Grammar
Dictionary form
sun
IPA
GB/sˈʌn/
US/sˈʌn/
Syllables & stress
sun (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (sun)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: sun
- Plural: sun, suns
Verb
- Base: sun
- 3rd Person Singular: suns
- Present Participle: sunning
- Past: sunned
Word family
Forms
suns
noun
sunning
verb
sunned
verb
Negative and opposite forms
sunless
adjective
Highlights
- Irregular present participle: sunning Verb
- Irregular past: sunned Verb
Expressions
a place in the sun
1/ə plˈeɪs ˈɪn ðə sˈʌn/
idiom
successful or advantageous position
A good, happy, or successful situation in life.
Examples
- After years of hard work, she finally found her place in the sun.
- He fought for a place in the sun in his career.
in the sun
1/ˈɪn ðə sˈʌn/
fixed phrase
located in direct sunlight
In a place where sunlight is shining on you or something.
Examples
- The children are playing in the sun.
- Don't leave your phone in the sun for too long.
under the sun
1/ˈʌndɚ ðə sˈʌn/
idiom
existing anywhere on Earth
Used to mean anywhere in the world, often for emphasis.
Examples
- There is no place under the sun more beautiful than this beach.
- I've tried every trick under the sun to fix my bike.
make hay while the sun shines
1/mˈeɪk hˈeɪ wˈaɪl ðə sˈʌn ʃˈaɪnz/
idiom
take advantage of good conditions
To do something as soon as you have a good chance, because the good situation may not last.
Examples
- Tourists are spending a lot this year, so local businesses are making hay while the sun shines.
- You have extra free time now, so make hay while the sun shines and finish your project.
- Investors tried to make hay while the sun shone during the short period of low interest rates.
make hay while the sun shines
2/mˈeɪk hˈeɪ wˈaɪl ðə sˈʌn ʃˈaɪnz/
idiom
act while conditions are good
Do something now while you have a good chance, not later.
Examples
- You should apply for that job now — make hay while the sun shines.
- Let's finish painting today; we should make hay while the sun shines.