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.
When asked about Nacho's favorite dish, Flay shared that his cat had a particular fondness for the turkey and salmon varieties, which use high-quality proteins to appeal to a cat's natural carnivorous instincts. Angela Chan-Danisi, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025 Yet your loved ones may acquire a fondness for the set through its association with you, somewhat like yours with your mother. Judith Martin, Mercury News, 25 Mar. 2025 Plus, New England fans still have fondness for Pitino, who coached at Providence College for two seasons and led the Friars to the 1987 Final Four, just the second (and last) time PC advanced that far in the NCAA tournament. Tim Casey, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025 But Bobby obviously feels a fondness for his estranged brother, and that trumps the kink in his neck. Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 20 Mar. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Fondness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fondness. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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