verb
fawn
FAWN/fˈɔn/
To seek someone's approval through excessive flattery.
The new assistant fawns over his boss to win favor.
Etymology
Fagnian meant to rejoice or applaud. Its use for displays of delight, especially a dog wagging its tail, developed into the image of servile eagerness to win someone's favor.
More examples
- You don't need to fawn over me to get help.
- The host fawned on wealthy donors throughout the dinner.
- She's tired of coworkers fawning over the manager's every idea.
Forms
fawn · fawns · fawned · fawning
Similar words
- flatter
- Can describe pleasing praise without the submissiveness implied by fawn.
- grovel
- Emphasizes humiliating submission rather than praise aimed at winning approval.