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 /

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)

fawn

²

/ 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. in fawn
   (of deer) pregnant

verb

1. (of deer) to bear (young)

Derived Forms

• ˈfawner, noun
• ˈfawningness, noun
• ˈfawning, adjective
• ˈfawningly, adverb
• ˈfawnˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• fawnlike adjective

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

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

Origin of fawn²

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

Example Sentences

The board would be composed overwhelmingly of independent charismatics, most of them quite far-right, who fawn over Trump—not pastors from traditional denominations.

From Slate

Twice married and divorced, Rose is survived by sons Pete Jr. and Tyler, and daughters Fawn and Cara.

From Los Angeles Times

But now that mechanism may get in the way because it’s responding to any vulnerability as a sign that you need to fight, flee, freeze, or fawn — four common responses to trauma or threats.

From Seattle Times

Biden can be as pious and as Christian as the Pope, and millions will fawn over Trump’s golden tennis shoes and his autographed bibles, believing the appearance that he is a Christian maverick who can solve our problems.

From Salon

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