fawning

Verb (1)

fawn (third-person singular simple present fawns, present participle fawning, simple past and past participle fawned)

1. (intransitive) To give birth to a fawn.

Verb (2)

fawn (third-person singular simple present fawns, present participle fawning, simple past and past participle fawned)

1. (intransitive, literal) To show devotion or submissiveness by wagging its tail, nuzzling, licking, etc.
2. (broadly, figuratively, intransitive) To exhibit affection toward someone.
3. (broadly, figuratively, intransitive) To attempt to please someone.
4. (broadly, derogatory, figuratively, intransitive) To seek favour by flattery and obsequious behaviour.
   • You showed your teeth like apes, and fawned like hounds.1599 (first performance), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Iulius Cæsar”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward]...

   Synonyms:

   grovel, wheedle, soft-soap, toady, apple-polish, bootlick, bow and scrape, brownnose, butter up, dickride

See all 11 meanings of fawn