(~er, ~est)
1.
If you are ~ of someone, you feel affection for them.
I am very ~ of Michael...
She was especially ~ of a little girl named Betsy.
ADJ: v-link ADJ of n
~ness
...a great ~ness for children.
N-UNCOUNT
2.
You use ~ to describe people or their behaviour when they show affection.
...a ~ father...
He gave him a ~ smile.
ADJ: ADJ n
~ly
Liz saw their eyes meet ~ly across the table.
ADV: ADV after v
3.
If you are ~ of something, you like it or you like doing it very much.
He was ~ of marmalade...
She is ~ of collecting rare carpets.
ADJ: v-link ADJ of n/-ing
~ness
I’ve always had a ~ness for jewels.
N-UNCOUNT: usu N for n/-ing
4.
If you have ~ memories of someone or something, you remember them with pleasure.
I have very ~ memories of living in our village.
= pleasant
ADJ: ADJ n
~ly
My dad took us there when I was about four and I remembered it ~ly.
ADV: ADV with v
5.
You use ~ to describe hopes, wishes, or beliefs which you think are foolish because they seem unlikely to be fulfilled.
My ~ hope is that we will be ready by Christmastime.
ADJ: ADJ n
~ly
I ~ly imagined that surgery meant a few stitches and an overnight stay in hospital.
ADV: ADV with v