au fond

[ oh fawn ]

adverb

, French.

1. at bottom or to the bottom; basically; in reality; fundamentally.

au fond

/ o fɔ̃ /

adverb

1. fundamentally; essentially

Word History and Origins

Origin of au fond¹

First recorded in 1780–90

Word History and Origins

Origin of au fond¹

literally: at the bottom

Example Sentences

“On other days I shrug off this high moral tone. Am I not, au fond, merely a dealer in sordid gossip?”

From Washington Post

And with the embattled Mr. Kwiecien before his departure, he brought great heaps of lyricism and pathos to the bromance duet “Au fond du temple saint.”

From New York Times

The theme, and its marketing, placed Paul Cézanne’s 1902-6 watercolor “Baigneuses, la Montagne Ste.-Victoire au Fond,” as the cover lot of the catalog.

From New York Times

In a moving juxtaposition of youthful and mature artistry, tenor Joshua Guerrero melded his sound with Domingo’s during the famously pleasing “Au fond du temple saint” from Bizet’s “The Pearl Fishers.”

From Los Angeles Times

Lately, however, he’s gotten new vibrancy, and in “Pearl Fishers” he was passionate yet focused, ardently blending with Mr. Kwiecien in their soaring duet, “Au fond du temple saint.”

From New York Times