fond

¹

[fond]

adjective

fonder, fondest 

1. having a liking or affection for (usually followed byof ).

   to be fond of animals.

2. loving; affectionate.

   to give someone a fond look.

3. excessively tender or overindulgent; doting.

   a fond parent.

4. cherished with strong or unreasoning feeling.

   to nourish fond hopes of becoming president.

5. Archaic.,  foolish or silly.

6. Archaic.,  foolishly credulous or trusting.

   Synonyms: gullible

fond

²

[fond, fawn]

noun

plural

fonds 

1. a background or groundwork, especially of lace.

2. Obsolete.,  fund; stock.

fond

¹

/ fɒnd /

adjective

1. predisposed (to); having a liking (for)

2. loving; tender

   a fond embrace

3. indulgent; doting

   a fond mother

4. (of hopes, wishes, etc) cherished but unlikely to be realized

   he had fond hopes of starting his own business

5. archaic

   1. foolish

   2. credulous

fond

²

/ fɔ̃, fɒnd /

noun

1. the background of a design, as in lace

2. obsolete,  fund; stock

Other Word Forms

• fondly adverb
• fondness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of fond¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English fond, fonned “foolish, silly” (past participle of fonnen “to be foolish”

Origin of fond²

First recorded in 1655–65; from French; fund

Word History and Origins

Origin of fond¹

C14 fonned , from fonnen to be foolish, from fonne a fool

Origin of fond²

C17: from French, from Latin fundus bottom; see _fund

Example Sentences

Some peered through the bars, snapping pictures and taking one last look at a place full of fond memories.

From BBC

Many people have a fond memory of playing catch with someone special — a parent, a grandparent, a sibling, a lifelong friend.

From Los Angeles Times

Liverpool fans were particularly fond of him as he led the club to back-to-back WSL trophies and returned for a second spell, guiding them back to the top-flight with a Women's Championship title.

From BBC

Although they have not been in the Premier League since 2013, he has fond memories of the Royals' time in the top flight.

From BBC

Mrs Said was mentioned in passing as joining "me in sending you and all your family our warmest wishes and fond affection".

From BBC

Related Words

• affectionate 
• enamored 
• indulgent 
• sentimental 
• sympathetic