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

They’d encountered coaches throughout the recruiting process who fawned over Stewart and his potential.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It could be ‘financial fawning’ — here’s how to stop.

Read more on MarketWatch

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

Read more on 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".

Read more on 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.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• crouch 
• grovel