Definition
Redness and pain of the skin caused by overexposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun, typically appearing within a few hours and peaking at 24 hours. In severe cases, it can cause blistering, swelling, and systemic symptoms like fever and chills.
Example Usage
After spending the whole day at the beach without sunscreen, I ended up with a nasty sunburn on my shoulders.
Origin
Compound of 'sun' and 'burn', used since at least the 1600s to describe solar-induced skin damage.
Fun Fact
Sunburn is actually your skin's inflammatory response to DNA damage—the redness is blood rushing to the area to repair it.
Source: Definition backfill (hailey)
Related Terms
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See “Sunburn” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.
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