fondness

noun

fond·​ness ˈfän(d)-nəs How to pronounce fondness (audio)
1
obsolete : foolishness, folly
2
: tender affection
3
: appetite, relish
had a fondness for argument

Examples of fondness in a Sentence

my fondness for you will never fail I have a fondness for expensive chocolate.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Though perhaps less visibly transformative than some of its feminine counterparts, the silk shirt is nonetheless emblematic of Versace’s fondness for ostentatious design (many were adorned with the house’s signature Barocco print). Zoe Whitfield, CNN Money, 15 July 2025 Messi’s feelings for this goal come across as a mixture of pride, fondness and perhaps a bit of disbelief. Asli Pelit, New York Times, 12 July 2025 What to do instead Gottman’s antidote for contempt is to co-create a culture of fondness and appreciation. Kelley J. Brower, CNBC, 5 June 2025 Many social media users shared condolences with the family and expressed their fondness for Wu-Murad. Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for fondness

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fondness was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fondness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fondness. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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