noun
fawn
fawn
Fawn (noun) means a young deer, usually under a year old. Example: “The fawn followed close behind its mother through the woods.”
noun
1
A young deer, usually under a year old.
"The fawn followed close behind its mother through the woods."
2
A light yellowish-brown colour.
"She wore a fawn coat that matched her handbag."
verb
1
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 notesIn 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.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
fawn over someone
a young fawn
fawn-coloured
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Word forms
- Plural
- fawns
- Third person singular
- fawns
- Past tense
- fawned
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".
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for fawn
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.
