fawn
1 Americannoun
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a young deer, especially an unweaned one.
-
a light yellowish-brown color.
adjective
verb (used without object)
noun
-
a young deer of either sex aged under one year
-
-
a light greyish-brown colour
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( as adjective )
a fawn raincoat
-
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(of deer) pregnant
verb
verb
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to seek attention and admiration (from) by cringing and flattering
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(of animals, esp dogs) to try to please by a show of extreme friendliness and fondness (towards)
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of fawn1
1225–75; Middle English fawn, foun < Middle French faon, foun, feon ≪ Vulgar Latin *fētōn-, stem of *fētō offspring, derivative of Latin fētus fetus
Origin of fawn2
First recorded before 1000; Middle English fawnen, Old English fagnian, variant of fægnian “to rejoice, make glad,” derivative of fægen “happy”; see fain
Explanation
A fawn is a young deer, but it's also a verb meaning to try and win favor by flattering. You might fawn over Bambi if you want to hang out with the cute and fuzzy gang. As a verb, fawn either refers to an attempt to get on someone’s good side, or, oddly enough, to give birth to a deer. If you're a human, fawning is an age-old art that might get you what you want but can be very unattractive. If you ever come into possession of a great fortune, watch out for sudden friends who want to fawn over you and shower you with presents. They probably have dollar signs in their eyes.
Vocabulary lists containing fawn
A Vocabulary Bestiary: Animals That Behave as Verbs
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"The Odyssey," Vocabulary from Part 1 of the epic poem
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Brown
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Fawn Britton was living in a caravan on the same site.
From BBC • Dec. 11, 2024
Twice married and divorced, Rose is survived by sons Pete Jr. and Tyler, and daughters Fawn and Cara.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 30, 2024
Chris Buck, the director of “Frozen,” directed this film with Fawn Veerasunthorn; and Jennifer Lee, who wrote “Frozen,” penned the script with Allison Moore.
From New York Times • May 3, 2024
The idea for Fawn Ngo's latest research came from a television interview.
From Science Daily • Apr. 1, 2024
Only the captain of the Fawn had given them reasons for his refusal.
From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
