fond

adjective \ ˈfänd \

Updated on: 11 Sep 2017

Definition of fond

1 :foolish, silly

fond pride

2 a :prizing highly :desirous —used with of

fond of praise

b :having an affection or liking —used with of

fond of music

fond of his nephew

3 a :foolishly tender :indulgent 1

a fond mother

b :affectionate, loving

absence makes the heart grow fonder

a fond embrace

4 :cherished with great affection :doted on

our fondest hopes

has fond memories of their time together

See fond defined for English-language learners

See fond defined for kids

Examples of fond in a Sentence

She still has fond feelings for him.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
He wished them a fond farewell.
the fond hope that the situation would change

Recent Examples of fond from the Web

In The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, the historian Edward Gibbon notes that in its latter stages, Roman citizens were fond of vandalizing or removing monuments to an unpopular leader.

— john fund, National Review, "Monument Madness," 27 Aug. 2017
What was once a fond memory for North Shore Country Day boys golf coach Cy Oelerich became the source of immense frustration.

— brett christie, chicagotribune.com, "IHSA attempt to level playing field irritates many private schools," 3 Aug. 2017
Adams, a first-round draft pick from LSU, isn't so fond of the NFL rules that often protect offensive players.

— dennis waszak jr., courant.com, "Jets Rookie Adams Says Football Field 'Perfect Place To Die'," 31 July 2017
This was all the melodrama of the Trump White House in microcosm: from its fondest aspirations (dealmaker president promoting Midwest factory jobs) to its deepest problems (discord, disarray, distraction, dysfunction).

— craig gilbert, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Trump's worst week: A brief shining moment, quickly shrouded in defeat and discord," 28 July 2017
But one person who won't be indulging in a fond look back is Sally Field, who starred as the aerodynamic Sister Bertrille in the sweet-but-silly television series.

— samantha drake, Country Living, "Why Sally Field Hated Being in The Flying Nun," 20 July 2017
Generation Z is also fondest of tablets, with 78 percent having one in their homes.

— The Hive, "Amazon’s Secret Weapon in the Video-Streaming Wars," 18 July 2017
Parishioners and community residents gathered at St. Nicholas Church on July 1 to bid a fond farewell to Father Jack Kennealy.

— Laurel Leader, "Bidding adieu to Father Jack Kennealy draws crowd [Montpelier/South Laurel]," 13 July 2017
Former and current employees also shared fond memories of Nutter, who died Friday at the age of 89.

— toriano porter, kansascity, "James B. Nutter remembered as ‘larger than life’ political power broker," 12 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fond.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of fond

Middle English fonned, fond, from fonne fool

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First Known Use: 14th century

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fond Synonyms

Synonyms

affected, attached, inclined, partial, big on

Antonyms

allergic, averse, disinclined

Related Words

crazy (about or over), enamored, enraptured, gone (on), infatuated, mad (about), nuts (about); desirous, eager, enthusiastic, excited, gung ho, keen

Near Antonyms

apathetic, cool, indifferent, uninterested; contemptuous, disdainful, scornful; antagonistic, antipathetic, hostile; alienated, disaffected, disenchanted, estranged

fond

verb

Definition of fond

intransitive verb

obsolete

:to lavish affection :dote

Origin and Etymology of fond

see ¹fond

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1530

See Words from the same year

fond

noun \ ˈfōⁿ \

Definition of fond

plural fonds play \ˈfōⁿ(z)\

1 :background, basis

2 obsolete :fund

Recent Examples of fond from the Web

Well -- well, is there any question that the president is not real fond of this investigation?

— NBC News, "James Comey Hearing: Full Transcript of Ex-FBI Chief’s Testimony," 8 June 2017
Well — well, is there any question that the president is not real fond of this investigation?

— the new york times, New York Times, "Full Transcript and Video: James Comey’s Testimony on Capitol Hill," 8 June 2017

Origin and Etymology of fond

borrowed from French, going back to Old French funt, font "bottom, base" — more at ¹fund

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1664

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FOND Defined for English Language Learners

fond

adjective

Definition of fond for English Language Learners

: feeling or showing love or friendship
: strongly felt

FOND Defined for Kids

fond

adjective \ ˈfänd \

Definition of fond for Students

fonder; fondest

1 :having a liking or love

“I'm very fond of Chinese food myself,” said Harry Cat.
—George Selden, The Cricket in Times Square

2 :affectionate, loving

a fond farewell

3 :strongly wished for

a fond dream

—

fondly

adverb

—

fondness

noun

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fond

Definition of fond

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fond

Definition of fond

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