Feeling gentle affection or warm liking.
Reach for it when expressing personal warmth toward someone, something, or a memory
She remains fond of the neighbor who taught her to repair bicycles.
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| warm |
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| professional | |
| literary |
playful
partial to
Fits when you want an informal way to name a preference
Careful The phrase suits things and tastes better than cherished people.
everyday
attached
Fits when a bond has formed and separation would matter
Careful Attachment may come from habit or dependence rather than warm liking.
everyday
keen on
Fits when enthusiastic liking should sound conversational
Careful Keen on feels more active and less tender than fond.
warm
Fits when the feeling is openly expressed toward a person
Careful Affectionate describes behavior as well as feeling and may be more intimate.
warm
Fits when deep care within a close relationship is intended
Careful Loving is stronger than fond and can overstate a light attachment.
professional
Fits when valuing someone's qualities or contribution is the point
Careful Appreciation can be respectful without personal affection.
literary
cherishing
Fits when the affection protects and values its object deeply
Careful It is too intense for a casual preference such as a favorite snack.
literary
sentimental
Fits when memory and emotion shape the attachment
Careful Sentimental can imply idealization or excessive emotion.
fond memory
A fond memory of the first harvest still brings the neighbors together.
fond of
He is fond of puzzles that reward patient observation.
fond farewell
The retiring nurse received a fond farewell from three generations of families.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Dvortygirl, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated
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