Love vs. Fond — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 5, 2024
Love embodies deep, emotional affection and attachment, often profound and intimate. Fond signifies liking or affection, typically gentler and less intense than love.
Difference Between Love and Fond
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Love encompasses a deep, emotional, and often unbreakable connection to another person, marked by passion, commitment, and a desire to share one's life with them. It is complex, encompassing various forms from romantic to familial love, each with its unique intensity and depth. Fondness, on the other hand, is a term that signifies a liking or affection towards someone or something.
Fondness can be seen in the gentle affection one might have for a friend, a cherished possession, or a familiar place. While love can inspire one to make significant sacrifices and commitments, including changes in lifestyle or personal goals, fondness usually does not demand such profound alterations.
Love might lead someone to move countries, change jobs, or embark on challenging journeys. Fondness, however, typically influences less drastic actions, such as choosing a gift, spending time together, or sharing interests.
Love is often associated with physical and emotional intimacy, with many considering it a foundation for romantic relationships and marriage. It involves a deep understanding and acceptance of another, including their flaws and weaknesses. Fondness, while it may include elements of physical affection, does not inherently encompass such a deep level of intimacy or acceptance.
Comparison Chart
Intensity
Deep emotional attachment, profound
Gentler affection, less intense
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Commitment
Often involves significant sacrifices and long-term commitment
Typically requires less commitment and sacrifice
Association
With both romantic and familial relationships, indicating a stronger bond
Usually associated with friendships or preferences, indicating a milder connection
Evolution
Can develop from fondness but has a deeper emotional connection
Can evolve into love but generally starts with and maintains a lighter affection
Expression
Through significant acts, sacrifices, and a deep understanding of the other's flaws
Through gentle gestures, gifts, and shared time or interests
Compare with Definitions
Love
A strong predilection or enthusiasm for something.
His love for painting turned into a successful career.
Fond
Affectionately tender towards someone or something.
She gave her old teddy bear a fond look before donating it.
Love
An intense emotional attachment or affection that transcends basic liking.
His love for his children motivated him to work two jobs.
Fond
Showing a gentle and loving disposition.
Her fondness for her students made her a favorite teacher.
Love
A term used to describe a deep, passionate affection for another person.
They shared a love that lasted a lifetime.
Fond
Exhibiting affection or warmth.
His fond memories of childhood summers were vivid and joyful.
Love
Feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection.
The love between the couple was evident to everyone.
Fond
Characterized by a liking or preference.
He was fond of saying that every cloud has a silver lining.
Love
A profound and intense feeling of affection towards someone.
She felt a love for him that was deeper than anything she'd ever experienced.
Fond
Having an affection or liking for.
She was fond of her hometown, always returning for holidays.
Love
Love encompasses a range of strong and positive emotional and mental states, from the most sublime virtue or good habit, the deepest interpersonal affection, to the simplest pleasure. An example of this range of meanings is that the love of a mother differs from the love of a spouse, which differs from the love of food.
Fond
In the culinary arts, fond is a contraction of fonds de cuisine which is loosely described as "the foundation and working capital of the kitchen". It refers to a flavorful liquid that is used as foundation (fondation in French, hence the abbreviation fond) for other preparations, such as stocks, broths, gravies and sauces.
Love
A strong feeling of affection and concern toward another person, as that arising from kinship or close friendship.
Fond
Having a strong liking, inclination, or affection
Fond of ballet.
Fond of my nieces and nephews.
Love
A feeling of devotion or adoration toward God or a god.
Fond
Affectionate; tender
A fond embrace.
Love
A feeling of kindness or concern by God or a god toward humans.
Fond
Immoderately affectionate or indulgent; doting
Fond grandparents who tended to spoil the child.
Love
Often Love(Christianity) Charity.
Fond
Cherished; dear
My fondest hopes.
Love
An instance of being in love
Teenage loves can be as fleeting as they are intense.
Fond
(Archaic) Naively credulous or foolish.
Love
A person for whom one has strong feelings of affection
She met her new love at the restaurant.
Fond
The background of a design in lace.
Love
Used as a term of endearment for such a person.
Fond
Having a liking or affection (for).
I am fond of this song!
Love
An intense emotional attachment to something, as to a pet or treasured object.
Fond
Affectionate.
A fond farewell
A fond mother or wife
Love
An expression of one's affection
Send him my love.
Fond
Indulgent.
I have fond grandparents who spoil me.
Love
A strong predilection or enthusiasm
A love of language.
Love for the game of golf.
Fond
Outlandish; foolish; silly.
Your fond dreams of flying to Jupiter have been quashed by the facts of reality.
Love
The object of such an enthusiasm
The outdoors is her greatest love.
Fond
(obsolete) Foolish; simple; weak.
Love
Love(Mythology) Eros or Cupid.
Fond
(obsolete) Doted on; regarded with affection.
Love
(Sports) A score of zero, as in tennis.
Fond
(obsolete) To have a foolish affection for, to be fond of.
Love
To feel love for (a person)
We love our parents. I love my friends.
Fond
(obsolete) To caress; to fondle.
Love
To feel devotion to (God or a god).
Fond
The background design in lace-making.
Love
To feel or show kindness or concern to (a person). Used of God or a god.
Fond
(cooking) Brown residue in pans from cooking meats and vegetables.
He used the fond to make a classic French pan sauce.
Love
To have an intense emotional attachment to
Loves his house.
Fond
(information science) A group of records having shared provenance.
Love
To embrace or caress
They were loving each other on the sofa.
Fond
(obsolete) Foundation; bottom; groundwork.
Love
To like or desire enthusiastically
Loves swimming.
Fond
(obsolete) Fund, stock, or store.
Love
To thrive on; need
The cactus loves hot, dry air.
Fond
Foolish; silly; simple; weak.
Grant I may never prove so fondTo trust man on his oath or bond.
Love
(uncountable) A deep caring for the existence of another.
Fond
Foolishly tender and loving; weakly indulgent; over-affectionate.
Love
(uncountable) Strong affection.
Fond
Affectionate; loving; tender; - in a good sense; as, a fond mother or wife.
Love
A profound and caring affection towards someone.
A mother’s love is not easily shaken.
My husband’s love is the most important thing in my life.
Fond
Loving; much pleased; affectionately regardful, indulgent, or desirous; longing or yearning; - followed by of (formerly also by on).
More fond on her than she upon her love.
You are as fond of grief as of your child.
A great traveler, and fond of telling his adventures.
Love
Affectionate, benevolent concern or care for other people or beings, and for their well-being.
Fond
Doted on; regarded with affection.
Nor fix on fond abodes to circumscribe thy prayer.
Love
A feeling of intense attraction towards someone.
I have never been in love as much as I have with you.
Fond
Trifling; valued by folly; trivial.
Love
A deep or abiding liking for something; an enthusiasm for something.
My love of cricket knows no bounds.
Fond
To be fond; to dote.
Love
(countable) A person who is the object of romantic feelings; a darling, a sweetheart, a beloved.
Fond
Foundation; bottom; groundwork;
Love
A term of friendly address, regardless of feelings.
Hello love, how can I help you?
Fond
Fund, stock, or store.
Love
A thing, activity, etc. which is the object of one's deep liking or enthusiasm.
Fond
Having or displaying warmth or affection;
Affectionate children
Caring parents
A fond embrace
Fond of his nephew
A tender glance
A warm embrace
Love
An instance or episode of being in love; a love affair.
Fond
Extravagantly or foolishly loving and indulgent;
Adoring grandparents
Deceiving her preoccupied and doting husband with a young captain
Hopelessly spoiled by a fond mother
Love
Used as the closing, before the signature, of a letter, especially between good friends or family members, or by the young.
Fond
Absurd or silly because unlikely;
Fond hopes of becoming President
Fond fancies
Love
(obsolete) A thin silk material.
Fond
(followed by `of' or `to') having a strong preference or liking for;
Fond of chocolate
Partial to horror movies
Love
A climbing plant, Clematis vitalba.
Love
Zero, no score.
So that’s fifteen-love to Kournikova.
Love
Nothing; no recompense.
Love
To have a strong affection for (someone or something).
I love my spouse.
I love you!
I love that song!
Love
(transitive) To need, thrive on.
Mold loves moist, dark places.
Love
(transitive) To be strongly inclined towards something; an emphatic form of like.
I love walking barefoot on wet grass;
I'd love to join the team;
I love what you've done with your hair
Love
To care deeply about, to be dedicated to (someone or something).
Love
(transitive) To derive delight from a fact or situation.
I love the fact that the coffee shop now offers fat-free chai latte.
Love
A feeling of strong attachment induced by that which delights or commands admiration; preëminent kindness or devotion to another; affection; tenderness; as, the love of brothers and sisters.
Of all the dearest bonds we proveThou countest sons' and mothers' loveMost sacred, most Thine own.
Love
Courtship; - chiefly in the phrase to make love, i. e., to court, to woo, to solicit union in marriage.
Demetrius . . . Made love to Nedar's daughter, Helena,And won her soul.
Love
Due gratitude and reverence to God.
Keep yourselves in the love of God.
Love
The object of affection; - often employed in endearing address; as, he held his love in his arms; his greatest love was reading.
Open the temple gates unto my love.
Love
Cupid, the god of love; sometimes, Venus.
Such was his form as painters, when they showTheir utmost art, on naked Lores bestow.
Therefore do nimble-pinioned doves draw Love.
Love
A thin silk stuff.
Love
A climbing species of Clematis (Clematis Vitalba).
Love
Nothing; no points scored on one side; - used in counting score at tennis, etc.
He won the match by three sets to love.
Love
To have a feeling of love for; to regard with affection or good will; as, to love one's children and friends; to love one's country; to love one's God.
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thy self.
Love
To take delight or pleasure in; to have a strong liking or desire for, or interest in; to be pleased with; to like; as, to love books; to love adventures.
Wit, eloquence, and poetry.Arts which I loved.
Love
To have the feeling of love; to be in love.
Love
A strong positive emotion of regard and affection;
His love for his work
Children need a lot of love
Love
Any object of warm affection or devotion;
The theater was her first love
He has a passion for cock fighting
Love
A beloved person; used as terms of endearment
Love
A score of zero in tennis or squash;
It was 40 love
Love
Have a great affection or liking for;
I love French food
She loves her boss and works hard for him
Love
Get pleasure from;
I love cooking
Love
Be enamored or in love with;
She loves her husband deeply
Common Curiosities
Is love always romantic?
No, love can be platonic, familial, or romantic, covering a wide spectrum of relationships.
Is fondness necessary for love?
Fondness can be seen as a preliminary stage to love, offering a foundation upon which deeper affection can build.
What is the main difference between love and fondness?
The main difference lies in the intensity and depth of emotion; love is profound and often involves commitment, whereas fondness is a gentler liking.
Can you love someone without being fond of them?
Typically, fondness is a component of love; it's unusual to love someone without also holding a fond affection for them.
Can fondness turn into love?
Yes, fondness can evolve into love as the emotional connection and commitment between individuals deepen.
How does one express fondness?
Fondness is typically expressed through affectionate gestures, warm communication, and shared interests.
How do you know if it's love or fondness?
Love is characterized by a deep emotional bond and commitment, while fondness is marked by a liking or gentle affection without profound attachment.
How does society view love versus fondness?
Society often views love as a foundation for long-term relationships and familial bonds, whereas fondness is seen as a lighter, less committed form of affection.
How do love and fondness affect relationships?
Both love and fondness positively affect relationships, though love typically involves a deeper bond and commitment than fondness.
Why is fondness important in relationships?
Fondness helps to maintain a warm, affectionate atmosphere in relationships, serving as a foundation for deeper emotional connections.
Can you be fond of something but not love it?
Yes, you can be fond of things or people without experiencing the depth of emotion associated with love.
Does love always involve sacrifices?
While not always, love often involves sacrifices or significant commitments to support the loved one.
Is fondness a weaker form of love?
Fondness is less about being a weaker form and more about being a different kind of affection, usually less intense and without the depth of commitment seen in love.
Is it possible to feel both love and fondness for someone?
Yes, one can feel both love and fondness for someone, with fondness often being part of the broader spectrum of love.
Can animals experience love or fondness?
Animals can show behaviors that resemble love and fondness, such as attachment and affection, towards humans and other animals.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
