noun
fon
fawn
Fon (noun) means an old-fashioned or dialect word for a foolish person. Example: “The village fon was the butt of every joke.”
noun
1
An old-fashioned or dialect word for a foolish person.
"The village fon was the butt of every joke."
2
A traditional chieftain or king in parts of Cameroon.
"In the early 1900s, the Bafut fought several wars with the German colonizers and their allies, ending in 1907 with the exile of the fon of that time."
— Historical Dictionary of the Republic of Cameroon (2010)
"The fon presided over the ceremony in full regalia."
How to use fon
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA rare word — either an old term for a fool, or the title of a traditional ruler in Cameroon.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with the Fon language and people of Benin, which is spelled the same but unrelated in origin.
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Word forms
- Plural
- fons
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The village _____ was the butt of every joke.
Etymology
From Middle English fonne, the same root that gave us "fun."
Frequently asked questions
What does “fon” mean?
The word “fon” means an old-fashioned or dialect word for a foolish person. In plain terms, a rare word — either an old term for a fool, or the title of a traditional ruler in Cameroon.
How do you pronounce “fon”?
“Fon” is pronounced fawn (/fɔːn/ in IPA).
How do you use “fon” in a sentence?
Here is “fon” used in a sentence: “The village fon was the butt of every joke.”
What part of speech is “fon”?
“Fon” is a noun.
Where does the word “fon” come from?
The word “fon” comes from Middle English. From Middle English fonne, the same root that gave us "fun.".
How many meanings does “fon” have?
“Fon” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an old-fashioned or dialect word for a foolish person.
