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; see origin at fund

Explanation

To be fond of something is to like it. Sports fans are fond of sports. Oddly, this adjective can also mean foolish and silly. We're all fond of some things and people: the things and people we like. Being fond can mean anything from liking something a little ("I'm fond of that band") to be extremely, almost absurdly interested in something ("He's a little too fond of football"). This word sometimes implies foolishness and absurdity: almost like you love something so much that you've lost your mind. But usually being fond is a good thing: it just means you enjoy something.

Example Sentences

One would think, in order to rise to the level of a Supreme Court justice, it would behoove a person to be fond of a rigorous debate.

From Salon • Apr. 22, 2026

Also among the many people who had come to wish Ayala a fond farewell?

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

If the bot is fond of the phrasing, it’s because humans are, too.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

As a result, from the beginning of last year it stopped selling flat feeders and advised they should no longer be used - effectively saying what it calls a "fond farewell" to traditional bird tables.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

Simon— she called him Simon now, imagine that!—had parted with fond good-nights and mutual words of admiration for each other’s pluck in a tough spot.

From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

• affectionate
• enamored
• indulgent
• sentimental
• sympathetic