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fawn

1
[ fawn ]
/ fɔn /
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See synonyms for: fawn / fawned / fawner / fawnest on Thesaurus.com

noun
a young deer, especially an unweaned one.
a light yellowish-brown color.
adjective
light yellowish-brown.
verb (used without object)
(of a doe) to bring forth young.
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Origin of fawn

1
1225–75; Middle English fawn, foun<Middle French faon, foun, feon ≪ Vulgar Latin *fētōn-, stem of *fētō offspring, derivative of Latin fētusfetus

OTHER WORDS FROM fawn

fawnlike, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH fawn

faun, fawn

Other definitions for fawn (2 of 2)

fawn2
[ fawn ]
/ fɔn /

verb (used without object)
to seek notice or favor by flattery or servile behavior: The courtiers fawned over the king.
(of a dog) to behave affectionately.

Origin of fawn

2
First recorded before 1000; Middle English fawnen, Old English fagnian, variant of fægnian “to rejoice, make glad,” derivative of fægen “happy”; see fain

OTHER WORDS FROM fawn

fawn·er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use fawn in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for fawn (1 of 2)

fawn1
/ (fɔːn) /

noun
a young deer of either sex aged under one year
  1. a light greyish-brown colour
  2. (as adjective)a fawn raincoat
in fawn (of deer) pregnant
verb
(of deer) to bear (young)

Derived forms of fawn

fawnlike, adjective

Word Origin for fawn

C14: from Old French faon, from Latin fētus offspring; see fetus

British Dictionary definitions for fawn (2 of 2)

fawn2
/ (fɔːn) /

verb (intr; often foll by on or upon)
to seek attention and admiration (from) by cringing and flattering
(of animals, esp dogs) to try to please by a show of extreme friendliness and fondness (towards)

Derived forms of fawn

fawner, nounfawning, adjectivefawningly, adverbfawningness, noun

Word Origin for fawn

Old English fægnian to be glad, from fægen glad; see fain
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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