Confusing Words for the Easter break: Faun vs. Fawn

blog home

What does each word mean?

Fauns are mythical beings from Roman mythology. They are part man and part goat.

Click here for the full Spellzone dictionary definition of the word.

Here is faun used in an example sentence:

  • In The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the main character Lucy befriends a faun called Mr Tumnus.

Click here to create a Spellzone vocabulary list using the faun.

A fawn is a young deer. The word is used to describe the light grey-brown colour of young deer. If you fawn over someone it means you are trying to gain their favour through excessive flattery or devotion.

Click here for the full Spellzone dictionary definition of the word.

Here is fawn used in some example sentences:

  • The film Bambi tells the story of a fawn growing up in the forest.
  • He decorated the living room in fawn, blue, and moss green.
  • She was embarrassed by the way the others fawned over her.

Click here to find the Spellzone vocabulary lists related to the word fawn.

Where does each word come from?

Faun comes from the Old English ‘fægnian’ which means ‘rejoice, be glad, exult, applaud’. The word was used in Middle English to describe to expressions of delight, particularly in relation to a dog wagging its tail.

Fawn comes from the Old French ’faon, feon’ meaning ‘young animal’ which comes from the Latin ‘fetus’ meaning ‘a bringing forth; an offspring’. The word was used to describe colour from 1881.

Are there any tricks to help remember the difference between faun and fawn?

Fawn has the letters aw in it. Think of the sound someone might make upon seeing a young deer or when fawning over someone or something. Try saying the following sentence to yourself: ‘Aw, look at the baby deer learning to walk,’ he fawned when he saw the fawn.

 

What words do you constantly mix up? Let us know and we’ll cover them in our Commonly Confused Words series.

Sources: The Online Etymology Dictionary


09 Apr 2018
blog home

Try Spellzone for free

Recent Blogs

How to Recognise and Overcome Tricky Spelling Patterns With Clarity and Confidence
How to Teach Spelling with Minimal Stress: Simple Techniques for Busy Teachers
Spelling for Mindfulness: How Slowing Down Can Help You Focus and Learn
Spelling Slip-Ups: Everyday Words People Often Get Wrong (and Clever Ways to Get Them Right)
Jamie Oliver’s Dyslexia Revolution: Why Schools Must Do More Than Just Listen
Embedding Spelling Practice Across All Subjects in Primary Schools: Supporting Literacy Beyond English Lessons
How to Teach Spelling to Reluctant Learners: Engaging and Low-Stress Methods
Why English Spelling Is So Hard And What You Can Do About It
Spelling Tricks for Words That Don’t Sound How They’re Spelled
From Spelling to Pronunciation: Why English Words Don’t Always Sound How They Look
How Spelling Tests Can Be a Positive Learning Opportunity: Encouraging a Healthy Relationship with Assessments
Why Some Words Have Double Letters: Spelling Rules and Tips
Why Spelling Rules Matter: How Patterns Simplify Learning
Spellzone Earns High Praise in Independent Pedagogical Quality Report
Spelling Through Visualisation: Using Imagery to Remember Words
How Reading Improves Spelling: The Power of Context
Tricky English Spelling Patterns: How to Teach Common Letter Combinations
How to Create Effective Spelling Word Lists for Students: A Guide for Educators
Understanding Root Words: Unlocking the Meaning of Complex Words
Navigating the World of Hyphenated Words in English

"I would like to thank you so much for this great website. I have always been ashamed of my spelling but after a few lessons I am already better. It is filling in all the gaps. Thanks."

Student, France