fondly

adverb

1. With affection, love, or tenderness.

   B1
   • "She smiled fondly at her baby."B1
   • "He spoke fondly of his grandparents and their old house."B2
   • "She looked at him fondly, remembering their first meeting."A2

2. In a way that shows a warm but sometimes unrealistic hope or belief.

   C1

   sometimes humorous

   • "She fondly imagined that everything would be perfect."B2
   • "He fondly believed that his small business would soon become an international success."C1