fawn

1 of 2

verb

ˈfȯn How to pronounce fawn (audio)
ˈfän
fawned; fawning; fawns

intransitive verb

1
: to court favor by a cringing or flattering manner
courtiers fawning on the king
2
: to show affection
used especially of a dog
The dog was fawning on its master.
fawner noun

fawn

2 of 2

noun

1
: a young deer
especially : one still unweaned or retaining a distinctive baby coat
2
3
: a light grayish brown
fawny
ˈfȯ-nē How to pronounce fawn (audio)
ˈfä-
adjective

Did you know?

Language lovers, rejoice! If you’re the sort of person who fawns over etymology (one of the best sorts of people, in our opinion), then you’ll be glad to know the story of fawn: it comes ultimately from the Old English adjective fægen or fagan, meaning “glad,” by way of Old English fagnian, meaning “to rejoice.” Hooray! But we’re not finished yet, my dear. Note that this fawn is not, despite appearances, related to the noun fawn that refers to a young deer. For that we can thank the Latin noun fetus, meaning “offspring.”

Choose the Right Synonym for fawn

fawn, toady, truckle, cringe, cower mean to behave abjectly before a superior.

fawn implies seeking favor by servile flattery or exaggerated attention.

waiters fawning over a celebrity

toady suggests the attempt to ingratiate oneself by an abjectly menial or subservient attitude.

toadying to his boss

truckle implies the subordination of oneself and one's desires or judgment to those of a superior.

truckling to a powerful lobbyist

cringe suggests a bowing or shrinking in fear or servility.

a cringing sycophant

cower suggests a display of abject fear in the company of threatening or domineering people.

cowering before a bully

Examples of fawn in a Sentence

Verb a sports star surrounded by fawning fans a student who could not wait to fawn over the new teacher
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Topline Nvidia became the third American company in history to score a $2 trillion valuation, riding its post-earnings euphoria to the remarkable feat as investors fawn over the artificial intelligence chip designer’s growth story. Derek Saul, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024 In a Chiefs onesie over his diaper, Patrick was passed between fawning fans for photos. The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 14 Feb. 2024 Starting at the turn of the previous century, Heilbrunn showcases the myriad ways in which influential conservatives, including many prominent Republicans, fawned over strongmen like the German kaiser and various Cold War-era juntas. Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024 So far, those plans don’t appear to include going after journalists who aren’t sufficiently fawning, or using the Department of Justice to go after political enemies. Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 6 Mar. 2024 Our cat instantly fawned over the Yeowww banana toy and began bunny-kicking away at it to his heart’s content. Cai Cramer, Peoplemag, 16 Feb. 2024 Keoghan and Elordi, however, have been essentially fawning over each other on social media for weeks — a wise, enticing move for the TikTok generation, but as a ploy to rope in older Oscar voters, that kind of plan might not do the trick. Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 1 Dec. 2023 While fawning at the infant, Ramirez escapes in an elevator with the chips. Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 5 Feb. 2024 Instead, multiple sketches featured female cast members fawning over the handsome and very tall Australian actor. Omar L. Gallaga, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2024
Noun
Based on those findings, Utah has launched an initiative to improve public-land habitats where mule deer raise their fawns. Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 13 Mar. 2024 The actor John Maria Gutierrez, even when disguised as a white businessman in a full-face mask, turns precipitate falls into rolls and handstands; the elegant Marcus McGregor, who danced with the Dance Theatre of Harlem and Feld Ballet, demonstrates the cautious poise of a fawn. Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2024 The does and fawns would roam through in one direction every morning, Williams said, and back the other direction in the evening. Gregory S. Schneider, Washington Post, 27 Dec. 2023 Standing at the forest line, like a mirage, were two fawns. Kate Brody, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2024 The East Coast socialites Capote fawns over are lacquered gorgons (for whom the show occasionally sheds crocodile tears, as in the case of Paley’s cancer diagnosis); the Hollywood crowd that takes him in is tasteless lightweights. Mike Hale, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2024 For example, fawns and calves are able to walk within hours of birth because the behavior is hardwired. Roberta McLain, Scientific American, 12 Dec. 2023 The buck was born in the area, and one of Orwig’s neighbors had photos of it as a fawn with its sibling. Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 3 Jan. 2024 In the spring, when the new fawns arrive, there’s always the chance that Prince will have produced a successor. Gregory S. Schneider, Washington Post, 27 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fawn.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English faunen, from Old English fagnian to rejoice, from fægen, fagan glad — more at fain entry 1

Noun

Middle English foun, from Anglo-French feun, foon young of an animal, from Vulgar Latin *feton-, feto, from Latin fetus offspring — more at fetus

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fawn was in the 13th century

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Dictionary Entries Near fawn

Cite this Entry

“Fawn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fawn. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

fawn

1 of 2 verb
ˈfȯn How to pronounce fawn (audio)
ˈfän
1
: to show affection
used especially of a dog
2
: to try to win favor by behavior that shows lack of self-respect
fawner noun
fawningly adverb

fawn

2 of 2 noun
1
: a young deer
especially : one in its first year
2
: a light grayish brown
Etymology

Verb

Old English fagnian "to rejoice," from fægen "glad, fain"

Noun

early French feen, foon "young of an animal," derived from Latin fetus "offspring"

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