fawn

¹

[fawn]

noun

1. a young deer, especially an unweaned one.

2. a light yellowish-brown color.

adjective

1. light yellowish-brown.

verb (used without object)

1. (of a doe) to bring forth young.

fawn

²

[fawn]

verb (used without object)

1. to seek notice or favor by flattery or servile behavior.

   The courtiers fawned over the king.

   Synonyms: kowtow, flatter, truckle, toady

2. (of a dog) to behave affectionately.

fawn

¹

/ fɔːn /

noun

1. a young deer of either sex aged under one year

2. 1. a light greyish-brown colour

   2. ( as adjective )

      a fawn raincoat

3. (of deer) pregnant

verb

1. (of deer) to bear (young)

fawn

²

/ fɔːn /

verb

1. to seek attention and admiration (from) by cringing and flattering

2. (of animals, esp dogs) to try to please by a show of extreme friendliness and fondness (towards)

Other Word Forms

• fawnlike adjective
• fawner noun
• fawningness noun
• fawning adjective
• fawningly adverb

Word History and Origins

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”; fain

Word History and Origins

Origin of fawn¹

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

Origin of fawn²

Old English fægnian to be glad, from fægen glad; see _fain

Example Sentences

These groups deserve shame, scorn and diplomatic rebuke — not fawning sympathy and United Nations red carpets.

From Los Angeles Times

On Comedy Central, Stewart took a similar satirical approach, becoming a fawning and "patriotically obediant host" of an "all-new government approved Daily Show".

From BBC

Either way, the coyotes found a ready food source in the fawn of mule deer, which themselves have a controversial history on the island.

From Los Angeles Times

Proxmire became addicted to the fawning press attention he got from caricaturing serious scientific research as ludicrous.

From Los Angeles Times

He’s self-satisfied and loves to have people fawn over him, but his star is still nascent enough for Oliver to retain some naivete.

From Salon

Related Words

• crouch 
• grovel