Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - fond

~ adj 1 be fond of sb to like someone very much, especially when you have known them for a long time and almost feel love for them  (Joe's quite fond of her, isn't he? | grow fond of)  (Over the years we've grown very fond of each other.) 2 be fond of sth to like something, especially something you have liked for a long time  (I'm not very fond of country music. | grow fond of)  (I'd grown fond of the place and it was difficult to leave.) 3 be fond of doing sth a) to enjoy doing something very much  (Jilly's very fond of drawing.) b) to do something often, especially something that annoys other people  (My Grandfather was very fond of handing out advice to all my friends.) 4 only before noun a fond look, smile, action etc shows you like someone very much  (He gave her a fond look. | a fond farewell)  (As we parted we said a fond farewell.) 5 have fond memories of to remember something with great pleasure  (Marie still had fond memories of their time together.) 6 a fond belief/hope a belief or hope that something will happen, which seems silly because it is very unlikely to happen  (in the fond hope/belief that)  (They sent him to another school in the fond hope that his behaviour would improve.)  (- see also fondly) - fondness n  (His wife had a great fondness for expensive clothes.)