fawn
/fɔːn/
Group 23Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (verb)
- To give a servile display of exaggerated flattery or affection, typically to gain favor GRE
Example in Context
The courtiers fawned over the new CEO, competing for proximity to power with an eagerness that bordered on the comical.
Synonyms
suck upgrovelflatter
Etymology
To show exaggerated affection or servility.
- fawn- (Old English) — to show affection
Memory Aid
🦌Sounds like “fawn”
Imagine a deer FAWNing over a human like it’s a celebrity — 'Oh my gosh, you're so amazing!'
Visual Association
🙇♂️A deer bowing and showering a person with flowers, trying to win their favor in a comically exaggerated way.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “fawn” mean on the GRE?
fawn (verb) means “To give a servile display of exaggerated flattery or affection, typically to gain favor”. The courtiers fawned over the new CEO, competing for proximity to power with an eagerness that bordered on the comical.
How to remember “fawn” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “fawn” sounds like “fawn”. Imagine a deer FAWNing over a human like it’s a celebrity — 'Oh my gosh, you're so amazing!'
What are synonyms for “fawn”?
Common synonyms: suck up, grovel, flatter.