/ fɒnd; NAmE fɑːnd/ adjective ( fond·er , fond·est )
1.
fond of sb feeling affection for sb, especially sb you have known for a long time :
Over the years, I have grown quite fond of her.
➡ note at love
2.
fond of (doing) sth finding sth pleasant or enjoyable, especially sth you have liked or enjoyed for a long time :
fond of music / cooking
We had grown fond of the house and didn't want to leave.
➡ note at like
3.
fond of (doing) sth liking to do sth which other people find annoying or unpleasant, and doing it often :
Sheila's very fond of telling other people what to do.
He's rather too fond of the sound of his own voice (= he talks too much) .
4.
[ only before noun ] kind and loving
SYN affectionate :
a fond look / embrace / farewell
I have very fond memories of my time in Spain (= I remember it with affection and pleasure) .
5.
[ only before noun ] fond hope a hope about sth that is not likely to happen :
I waited all day in the fond hope that she would change her mind.
► fond·ness noun [ U , sing. ] fondness (for sb/sth) :
He will be remembered by the staff with great fondness.
a fondness for animals
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IDIOMS
see absence
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (in the sense infatuated, foolish ): from obsolete fon a fool, be foolish , of unknown origin. Compare with fun .