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Fond

2 stages from Middle English to English.

Today it means having an affection or liking for

Where does the word "fond" come from? It comes from Middle English fonne, adopted directly into English (1500s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
fonne
Middle English · 1300s
"fool"
'a fool', of uncertain origin; 'fonned' meant made foolish
2
Stage 2 of 2
fond
English · 1500s
"affectionate"
moved from 'foolish' to 'foolishly doting' to 'affectionate'; King Lear, awakening, calls himself 'a very foolish fond old man' (c. 1606)
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Fond’s story begins in Middle English: fonne meant “fool.” 'a fool', of uncertain origin; 'fonned' meant made foolish. It reached English by 1500s as fond. Moved from 'foolish' to 'foolishly doting' to 'affectionate'; King Lear, awakening, calls himself 'a very foolish fond old man' (c. 1606). Today, fond means having an affection or liking for.