dun

1 of 4

adjective

ˈdən 

1

a

: having a slightly brownish dark gray color : having the color dun (see dun entry 2 sense 2)

b

of a horse : having a grayish-yellow coat with black mane and tail

2

: marked by dullness and drabness

dunness

ˈdən-nəs 

noun

dun

2 of 4

noun (1)

1

: a horse with a grayish-yellow coat and a black mane and tail : a dun horse

2

: a variable color averaging a nearly neutral slightly brownish dark gray

3

: a subadult mayfly

also, fishing : an artificial fly tied to imitate such an insect

dun

3 of 4

verb

dunned; dunning

transitive verb

1

: to make persistent demands upon for payment

dunning their members for contributions

2

: plague, pester

dunned by troubles literary and monetary

—Irish Digest

dun

4 of 4

noun (2)

1

: someone who makes persistent demands upon people for payment : a person who duns (see dun entry 3)

2

: an urgent request

especially : a demand for payment

Synonyms

Noun (2)

• demand
• requirement
• request
• wish
• must
• claim

Examples of dun in a Sentence

Noun (2)

it's probably not a good idea to ignore a creditor's dun for repayment

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English dunn — more at dusk

Verb

origin unknown

Noun (2)

noun derivative of dun entry 3

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1648, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1628, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for dun

• bun
• done
• fun
• gun
• hun
• jun
• none
• nun
• one
• pun
• run
• shun

Kids Definition

dun

1 of 3 noun

ˈdən 

1

: a light tan horse with a black mane and tail

2

: a slightly brownish dark gray

dun adjective

dun

2 of 3 verb

dunned; dunning

: to make repeated demands upon for payment

an organization that duns its members for dues

dun

3 of 3 noun

1

: a person who duns another

2

: a demand for payment

Etymology

Noun

Old English dunn (adjective) "having the color of brownish dark gray"

Verb

origin unknown