fondness
UK: ˈfɒndnəs | US: ˈfɑːndnəs
n. a feeling of affection or liking for someone or something
n. a tendency to indulge in or enjoy something
fondness = fond<affectionate> + ness<noun suffix>
- fond: From Middle English fond (foolish, affectionate), derived from Old English fandian (to try, test). Over time, its meaning shifted from "foolishly indulgent" to "affectionate."
- ness: A noun-forming suffix from Old English -nes, indicating a state or quality.
Etymology Origin:
The word fondness traces back to the Old English verb fandian (to test or try), which evolved into fond with a sense of foolishness or excessive affection. By the 16th century, fond softened to mean "affectionate," and the suffix -ness was added to nominalize the emotion. The progression reflects a shift from action (testing) to emotion (affection).
Her fondness for animals led her to volunteer at the shelter.
He spoke of his childhood with great fondness.
Despite their arguments, there was a deep fondness between them.
She has a fondness for spicy food.
The old letters filled him with fondness for days gone by.