fawn

¹fawn

verb \ˈfȯn, ˈfän\

Definition of FAWN

intransitive verb

1

: to show affection —used especially of a dog

2

: to court favor by a cringing or flattering manner

— fawn·er noun

— fawn·ing·ly \ˈfȯ-niŋ-lē, ˈfä-\ adverb

Examples of FAWN

1. a sports star surrounded by fawning fans
2. <a student who could not wait to fawn over the new teacher>

Origin of FAWN

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

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to FAWN

Synonyms: apple-polish, bootlick, fuss, kowtow, suck (up), toady, truckle, curry favor, kiss up to

Related Words: drool, gush, slaver, slobber; endear, ingratiate; court, woo; adulate, idolize, worship; blandish, cajole, coax, flatter, overpraise, soft-soap; cower, cringe, grovel; abase, debase, demean; defer, submit, yield

Near Antonyms: despise, disdain, scorn; gibe (or jibe), jeer, scoff; brave, challenge, defy

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Synonym Discussion of 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>.