adjective (fonder, fondest)
1 ~ 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. * I've always been very fond of your mother.
2 ~ of (doing) sth finding sth pleasant or enjoyable, especially sth you have liked or enjoyed for a long time:
fond of music / cooking / going to parties * We had grown fond of the house and didn't want to leave.
3 ~ 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 [onlybeforenoun] kind and loving
SYNAFFECTIONATE:
a fond look / embrace / farewell * I have very fond memories of my time in Spain (= I remember it with affection and pleasure).
5 [onlybeforenoun] (~ 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.
fondness noun [U,sing.] ~ (for sb/sth):
He will be remembered by the staff with great fondness. * a fondness for animals * It was her father's fondness for drink that brought about the break-up of her parents' marriage.
