noun

fawn

Fawn (noun) means a young deer, usually under a year old. Example: “The fawn followed close behind its mother through the woods.”

noun

A young deer, usually under a year old.

"The fawn followed close behind its mother through the woods."

A light yellowish-brown colour.

"She wore a fawn coat that matched her handbag."

verb

To seek approval or favour through excessive flattery or servile behaviour.

"The junior staff fawned over the visiting executive."

"His dog fawned at his feet the moment he walked in."

How to Use Fawn

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither a baby deer, a pale brownish colour, or (as a verb) grovelling to please someone.

Common mistake

Don't confuse the verb sense (grovelling flattery) with "fond" (affectionate) — they sound similar but mean different things.

Common pairings

fawn over someone a young fawn fawn-coloured

Word Forms

fawned past tense, fawned past tense, fawns plural, fawns plural, fawns singular, fawns singular

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ followed close behind its mother through the woods.

Etymology

From Old French faon ("young animal"), from Latin fetus ("offspring") — a doublet of "fetus".

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for fawn

pawn dawn yawn lawn drawn prawn spawn brawn withdrawn

See all rhymes for fawn →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “fawn” mean?

The word “fawn” means a young deer, usually under a year old. In plain terms, either a baby deer, a pale brownish colour, or (as a verb) grovelling to please someone.

How do you pronounce “fawn”?

“Fawn” is pronounced fawn (/fɔn/ in IPA).

How do you use “fawn” in a sentence?

Here is “fawn” used in a sentence: “The fawn followed close behind its mother through the woods.”

What part of speech is “fawn”?

Depending on how it is used, “fawn” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “fawn” come from?

The word “fawn” comes from Latin. From Old French faon ("young animal"), from Latin fetus ("offspring") — a doublet of "fetus".

How many meanings does “fawn” have?

“Fawn” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a young deer, usually under a year old.