fond

Having soft feelings

Fond means having affection or warm regard for something or someone: She's fond of her nephew, I'm quite fond of that old sweater.

It can also describe cherished but perhaps unrealistic attitudes: a fond hope, fond memories.

To be fond of an activity is to enjoy it habitually: He's fond of long walks.

The word carries gentler warmth than love—affection without intensity.

affectionate

loving

Feeling deep affection

adoringShowing deep affection
caringShowing kind concern
devotedLoyally and lovingly attached

doting · tender · warmhearted · kindhearted · attached · cherishing · enamored · besotted · smitten · affectionate

nostalgic

memories

Stored past experiences

reminiscentTending to recall
sentimentalExcessively emotional about memories
wistfulSadly longing for something

yearning · bygone · retrospective · bittersweet · longing · remembrance · cherished · halcyon · golden · misty-eyed

indulgent

doting

Excessively affectionate toward

permissiveTolerant, lacking strictness
lenientTolerant of faults
pamperingLavish attentive care

spoiling · coddling · overindulgent · soft · easygoing · tolerant · forgiving · accommodating · lax · overprotective

Categories

sentimentalitymawkish, schmaltzy, saccharine, treacly, cloying
cookingbaking, chop, boiling, dice, mince
culinary artsflavor, aroma, seasoning, sauce, roasting
lovingloving, adoring, affectionate, amorous, caring
sautéingpan, skillet, wok, oil, butter
cooking resultsbatter, broth, dough, gravy, sauce

Opposites

emotional attachment

Aggressively unfriendly

indifferent · averse · antagonistic · hateful · hating

realism of hopes/beliefs

True to life

rational · clear-eyed · pragmatic · hard-headed · wise

Phrases

fond ofHaving warm regard toward
fond memories
fond memoryAffectionately recalled experience
chocolate fondueMelted cocoa for dipping
fond farewellAffectionate parting expression
cheese fondueMelted dairy for dipping

Family

fondness, fondle, fondly, fondue, fondest, fonder, fondling, fondled, fondler

Familiarity: Top 10,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G