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

Native and other personal-care companies say people are looking for sensory experiences that provide an escape and evoke fond memories.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

The pair have fond memories of their whirlwind romance in the 1990s, which led to them getting married and having a baby within two years.

Read more on BBC

If you’re a Gen Xer who immersed yourself in punk rock or listened to college radio, The Waterboys will be a familiar name, if they don’t make your heart sing with fond nostalgia.

Read more on Salon

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

Read more on BBC

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

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• affectionate 
• enamored 
• indulgent 
• sentimental 
• sympathetic