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

In interviews, she is fond of sharing her mantra: “I want a director to work with me, not on me.”

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The stranger gives a wistful smile, like she’s savoring a fond memory.

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Mrs. Clarke loved licorice and had grown quite fond of the Giddy-Yap, Rainbow! stories, ever since Penelope had introduced these fine books to the household.

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He reached out to clasp her in a fond hug.

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The volume in question was one of the Giddy-Yap, Rainbow! series that Penelope was so fond of.

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Related Words

• affectionate 
• enamored 
• indulgent 
• sentimental 
• sympathetic