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fond

adj. · n.
US //ˈfɑnd// UK //fˈɒnd// fond
  1. 1 liking something (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    liking someone or something very much, especially for a long time.

    having a strong liking, affection, or preference for something. Predicative use usually requires the preposition 'of'.

    Example

    My grandfather was very fond of his old garden and spent every morning there.

    Example

    Over the years, she grew increasingly fond of the quiet coastal village, eventually deciding to settle there permanently after her retirement.

    Usage

    Always used with the preposition 'of' when followed by an object.
    Pitfall
    I am fond to play tennis.
    I am fond of playing tennis.

    The adjective 'fond' must be followed by 'of' and a noun or gerund, never a 'to' infinitive.

  2. 2 affectionate (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    showing love or warm feelings through your actions or words.

    demonstrating affection or warmth. Often used attributively to describe memories, looks, or gestures.

    Example

    She gave him a fond smile as he walked through the door.

    Example

    He kept a fond memory of their first meeting, often recounting the story with great detail at family gatherings.
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  1. 3 unlikely or foolish (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Literary

    describing a hope or belief that is probably not going to happen.

    describing a hope or expectation that is foolishly optimistic or unlikely to be realised.

    Example

    He had a fond hope that the car would start despite the freezing weather.

    Example

    The politician clung to the fond belief that the public would overlook the scandal once the new policy was announced.

    Teacher's tip

    In modern English, this sense is almost exclusively used in the fixed phrase 'fond hope' or 'fond belief'.
  2. 4 cooking residue (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Cooking

    the brown bits of food left in a pan after cooking meat or vegetables.

    the browned particles of food, typically meat, remaining in a pan after sautéing or roasting, used as a base for sauces.

    Example

    Add some wine to the pan to loosen the fond and make a tasty sauce.

    Example

    The chef deglazed the pan with a splash of brandy, carefully scraping up the fond to enrich the base of the reduction.

    Usage

    Borrowed from French; usually treated as an uncountable noun in culinary contexts.
Etymology 1

From Middle English fond, fonned, past participle of fonnen (“to be foolish, be simple, dote”), equivalent to fon + -ed. More at fon.

Etymology 2

From French, ultimately from Latin fundus. Doublet of fund and fundus.

Word family

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