fawn

UK: /ˈfɔːn/ US: /fɔn/ ,(fôn)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

fawn¹ /fɔn/   n. 

1. Mammals [countable] a young deer.
2. [uncountable] a light yellowish brown color.

fawn² /fɔn/   v. 

1. to seek (someone's) notice or try to gain (someone's) favor by flattery;
   toady:
   [~ + on/over + object] The bellhop fawned over the guest.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

fawn¹  (fôn), n. 

1. Mammals a young deer, esp. an unweaned one.
2. a light yellowish-brown color.

adj. 

3. light yellowish-brown.

v.i. 

4. Mammals (of a doe) to bring forth young.

• Middle French faon, foun, feon Vulgar Latin *fētōn-, stem of *fētō offspring, derivative of Latin fētus fetus
• Middle English fawn, foun 1225–75

fawn′like′, adj. 

fawn²  (fôn), v.i. 

1. to seek notice or favor by servile demeanor:
   The courtiers fawned over the king.
2. (of a dog) to behave affectionately.

• bef. 1000; Middle English fawnen, Old English fagnian, variant of fægnian to rejoice, make glad, derivative of fægen happy; see fain

fawn′er, n. 
fawn′ing•ly, adv. 
fawn′ing•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. toady, truckle, flatter, kowtow.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

fawn / fɔːn/ noun

1. a young deer of either sex aged under one year
2. a light greyish-brown colour
3. (as adjective): a fawn raincoat

verb

1. (of deer) to bear (young)

Etymology: 14th Century: from Old French faon, from Latin fētus offspring; see fetus

ˈfawnˌlike adjective

fawn / fɔːn/ verb (intr; often followed by on or upon)

to seek attention and admiration (from) by cringing and flattering

(of animals, esp dogs) to try to please by a show of extreme friendliness and fondness (towards)

Etymology: Old English fægnian to be glad, from fægen glad; see fain

ˈfawner noun

ˈfawning adjective