noun
fawn
fawn
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.
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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The _____ followed close behind its mother through the woods.
Etymology
From Old French faon ("young animal"), from Latin fetus ("offspring") — a doublet of "fetus".