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

When Trump talks so fawningly about dictators, authoritarians, and autocrats how do you make sense of it relative to that political tradition and style of leadership?

From Salon

In one meeting, a couple told The Times, Matthews fawned over an 8-week-old Boston terrier.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s hard to imagine the last time Trump, who cossets himself with an entourage of fawning sycophants, has been spoken to in that fashion.

From Los Angeles Times

People like Vance always punch down and kiss up, which is why he's always fawning over Trump, a man he once privately compared to Hitler.

From Salon

The Republican nominee filled the rest of his post with tedious name calling — “Crooked,” “Marxist” — and attacks on the insufficiently fawning journalists of ABC.

From Salon