Dun

The word "dun" can function as a noun, verb, and adjective, and carries slightly differing meanings depending on its part of speech. As a noun, it refers to a creditor's persistent demand for payment, often considered aggressive or harassing. As a verb, it describes the act of repeatedly requesting payment from a debtor. As an adjective, "dun" describes a dull, grayish-brown color. The word originates from the Old English "dunn", signifying a dusky or dark hue and has developed over time to embody a sense of persistence and financial pressure. In modern contexts, the word is most often associated with the unpleasant experience of being pursued for overdue debts and the accompanying color often seen as lacking vibrancy.

Dun meaning with examples

• The incessant phone calls and increasingly aggressive letters from the collection agency were a constant barrage of duns, leaving Sarah feeling stressed and overwhelmed. She had ignored them for too long and was now receiving threats of repossession and court action.
• After falling behind on his rent, Mark braced himself for the inevitable duns from his landlord. They began with polite reminders, but quickly escalated to strongly worded demands threatening legal action if the debt wasn't immediately settled.
• The bank's relentless duns for the overdue mortgage payments eventually forced the family to consider selling their house. They tried to negotiate, but were given no options and they felt trapped by the circumstances and the unrelenting pressure.
• The company's internal audit revealed a lax approach to receivables, resulting in numerous unpaid invoices. They subsequently implemented a stricter procedure, issuing timely duns to improve their cash flow and avoid further financial strain.