fawn
1[ fawn ]
/ fɔn /
Save This Word!
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.
QUIZ
GOOSES. GEESES. I WANT THIS QUIZ ON PLURAL NOUNS!
Test how much you really know about regular and irregular plural nouns with this quiz.
Question 1 of 9
Which of the following nouns has an irregular plural form?
Origin of fawn
11225–75; 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, adjectiveWORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH fawn
faun, fawnOther 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
2First 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, nounDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
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
- a light greyish-brown colour
- (as adjective)a fawn raincoat
in fawn (of deer) pregnant
verb
(of deer) to bear (young)
Derived forms of fawn
fawnlike, adjectiveWord 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, nounWord 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