fond

¹ American  

[fond] / fɒnd /

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

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fond ² American  

[fond, fawn] / fɒnd, fɔ̃ /

noun

plural

fonds

1. a background or groundwork, especially of lace.

2. Obsolete. fund; stock.

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fond ¹ British  

/ 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

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fond ² British  

/ fɔ̃, fɒnd /

noun

1. the background of a design, as in lace

2. obsolete fund; stock

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Other Word Forms

• fondly adverb
• fondness noun

Etymology

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

Example Sentences

Though both dressed in black when they spoke with The Envelope at the Four Seasons Los Angeles recently, Trier and Skarsgård exhibited high spirits and fond camaraderie while examining the mysteries of relationships and art.

From Los Angeles Times

Growing fonder and fonder of Maude, Harold shares with her that when he isn’t attending funerals for fun, he likes to go to demolition sites and scrap yards.

From Salon

The two spend the years picking at each other while secretly growing fond of the other’s company, though never able to act on their feelings due to the difference in their social status.

From Salon

The CIA last week bid a “fond farewell” to the Factbook, though it did not explain its unexpected closure.

From The Wall Street Journal

Llewelyn did not care for tea, but he was very fond of the carrot cakes.

From Literature

Related Words

• affectionate
• enamored
• indulgent
• sentimental
• sympathetic