fawn

1 of 2

verb

ˈfȯn 

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

: kid sense 2

3

: a light grayish brown

fawny

ˈfȯ-nē 

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.”

Synonyms

Verb

• apple-polish
• bootlick
• fuss
• kowtow
• suck (up)
• toady
• truckle

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

Back then, entire scenes and careers blossomed thanks to websites run by overeager nerds who fawned over artists no one else cared about. —Isabelia Herrera, Pitchfork, 28 Nov. 2023

When the fashion designer Lisa Perry put her penthouse at 1 Sutton Place on the market in 2020, the modernist showpiece received fawning write-ups in the design press. —Curbed, 13 Sep. 2023

In July, a legion of fawning foreign businessmen lined up onstage behind Mr. Modi in his home state of Gujarat. —Alex Travelli, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2023

In recent months, nature girlies and backpacking bros alike have fawned over Stoddard on social media thanks to its crystalline swimming pools and cascading waterfall that doubles as a slide. —Laura Newberry, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2023

Rezvani has made TikToks about fawning less at work and encouraging people not to put off vacation days. —Shira Ovide, Washington Post, 25 Aug. 2023

Reports of their dealings, and those of their elder son, Yair, have the trappings of a royal soap opera: a steady supply of Champagne, cigars and expensive jewelry; demands for fawning press coverage; flagrant interference in matters of appointments and policy. —Ruth Margalit, New York Times, 27 Sep. 2023

There are indeed two horses in the back, brought by the local cowboy collective Broken Arrow Riding Club, ready to be petted on their muzzles by fawning kids. —Julianne Escobedo Shepherd, Pitchfork, 18 Sep. 2023

Xi has received fawning coverage in Chinese state media over the visit. —David Pierson, BostonGlobe.com, 23 Aug. 2023

Noun

But wolves prey on fawns at shockingly higher rates in these areas compared to elsewhere, the study shows. —Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 1 Nov. 2023

There are and have always been predators that kill pronghorn fawns. —Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 15 July 2023

There’s going to be some early fawns, a big cluster of fawns, and then some late fawns. —Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 2 Nov. 2023

The practice of taking in fawn whitetails and attempting to raise the wild animals as at-home pets might be more common than some people realize. —Travis Hall, Field & Stream, 12 Oct. 2023

The officer quickly sprung into action, helping the doe deliver her fawn. —Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 23 Aug. 2023

Every spring, state wildlife agencies across the country urge residents to leave vulnerable fawns alone. —Travis Hall, Field & Stream, 12 Oct. 2023

However, biologists say that’s not nearly enough, given that each doe produces two fawns each year. —Louis Sahagún, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2023

In a strange combination of experiences, spotted fawns were a big part of my life this past week. —Michael C. Bolton, al, 15 Sep. 2023

See More

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

Phrases Containing fawn

• fawn lily

• fawn lily

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Kids Definition

fawn

1 of 2 verb

ˈfȯn 

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

-iŋ-lē 

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"