fawn over
B2 informal inseparable transitive
In simple words
To act overly nice to someone, especially a famous or powerful person, to make them like you.
Literal meaning: 'Fawn' as a verb means to show affection in a slavish way (from Middle English — a dog fawns on its owner by crouching and wagging). 'Over' suggests direction of attention.
Meanings
1 B2
idiomatic
informal
To give someone excessive and often insincere attention, flattery, or admiration.
"The junior employees were fawning over the new director, agreeing with everything he said."
Grammar: inseparable
2 B2
idiomatic
informal
To react with excessive admiration or excitement about someone, especially a celebrity.
"Fans were fawning over the actor as he walked down the red carpet."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Usually carries a negative connotation — the person fawning is seen as sycophantic or lacking dignity. Often used critically about how people treat celebrities or authority figures.
Commonly used with
celebrity boss star politician wealthy fans
Forms
Base
fawn over
I/you/we/they
3rd person
fawns over
he/she/it
Past simple
fawned over
yesterday
Past participle
fawned over
have + pp
-ing form
fawning over
continuous
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Synonyms
grovel before toady to flatter gush over lavish praise on kowtow to
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