# fondness

/ˈfɑndnəs/ (US) · /fˈɒndnəs/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fondness
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

a feeling of liking or caring for someone or something. You often use this to describe a warm, long-lasting connection.

For teachers: an affectionate liking or partiality for someone or something. Often implies a gentle, enduring emotional attachment rather than intense passion.

## Examples

- She has a great fondness for old movies.
- Over the years, his initial respect for his mentor grew into a deep personal fondness.
- Despite the harsh winters of her childhood, she looked back on those years with a surprising degree of fondness and nostalgia.

## Usage notes

- Commonly takes the preposition 'for' when identifying the object of affection.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.