fondness

noun

fond·​ness ˈfän(d)-nəs How to pronounce fondness (audio)
Synonyms of fondnessnext
1
obsolete : foolishness, folly
2
: tender affection
3
: appetite, relish
had a fondness for argument

Examples of fondness in a Sentence

my fondness for you will never fail I have a fondness for expensive chocolate.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Teams are now looking to congest central areas to slow down United’s fondness for quick one-twos and clever passing triangles. Carl Anka, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026 George has a particular fondness for drinking out of my watering can. Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 27 Feb. 2026 Scenes meant to convey fondness and dramatic weight instead flatten into thoughtless repetition, as the series’ decades-long dissection of the final girl reveals itself as a stale brand asset. Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 Feb. 2026 Combined with the more enduring boho references that continue to dominate social feeds–like Jane Birkin’s free-spirited ’60s and ’70s style and Sienna Miller’s fondness for frills in the Noughties–the boho blueprint for 2026 is looking pretty eclectic. Alice Cary, Vogue, 24 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fondness

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fondness was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fondness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fondness. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on fondness

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster