dun

1 of 4

adjective

ˈdən 

1

a

: having a slightly brownish dark gray color : having the color dun (see dun entry 2 sense 2)

b

of a horse : having a grayish-yellow coat with black mane and tail

2

: marked by dullness and drabness

dunness

ˈdən-nəs 

noun

dun

2 of 4

noun (1)

1

: a horse with a grayish-yellow coat and a black mane and tail : a dun horse

2

: a variable color averaging a nearly neutral slightly brownish dark gray

3

: a subadult mayfly

also, fishing : an artificial fly tied to imitate such an insect

dun

3 of 4

verb

dunned; dunning

transitive verb

1

: to make persistent demands upon for payment

dunning their members for contributions

2

: plague, pester

dunned by troubles literary and monetary

—Irish Digest

dun

4 of 4

noun (2)

1

: someone who makes persistent demands upon people for payment : a person who duns (see dun entry 3)

2

: an urgent request

especially : a demand for payment

Synonyms

Noun (2)

• claim
• demand
• importunity
• requisition
• ultimatum

Examples of dun in a Sentence

Noun (2)

it's probably not a good idea to ignore a creditor's dun for repayment

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Seduction Cosmetic Center’s Dr. John Sampson was dunned $25,656 and banned from Brazilian butt lifts for his own professional sins, which resulted in the death of a Seduction patient in June 2021. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2024

But that devil would come dunning in the nineteen-thirties, during the battles between New Dealers and the Court led by Charles Evans Hughes. —Jill Lepore, The New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2024

The Education Department dunned GCU, the nation’s largest Christian college, $37.7 million for allegedly deceiving prospective students about the cost of its doctoral programs. —The Editorial Board, WSJ, 6 Nov. 2023

The agency would dun a public company guilty of a comparable lack of internal controls. —The Editorial Board, WSJ, 26 Oct. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English dunn — more at dusk

Verb

origin unknown

Noun (2)

noun derivative of dun entry 3

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1648, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1628, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

dun

1 of 3 noun

ˈdən 

1

: a light tan horse with a black mane and tail

2

: a slightly brownish dark gray

dun adjective

dun

2 of 3 verb

dunned; dunning

: to make repeated demands upon for payment

an organization that duns its members for dues

dun

3 of 3 noun

1

: a person who duns another

2

: a demand for payment

Etymology

Noun

Old English dunn (adjective) "having the color of brownish dark gray"

Verb

origin unknown