endear

American  

[en-deer] / ɛnˈdɪər /

verb (used with object)

1. to make dear, esteemed, or beloved.

   He endeared himself to his friends with his gentle ways.

2. Obsolete. to make costly.

---

endear British  

/ ɪnˈdɪə /

verb

1. (tr) to cause to be beloved or esteemed

---

Other Word Forms

• unendeared adjective

Etymology

Origin of endear

First recorded in 1570–80; en- ¹ + dear ¹

Example Sentences

Moreover, though stories about starting all over again in one’s dotage are endearing and kindly, as “Calle Málaga” is, they have a core of sheer fantasy.

From The Wall Street Journal

Because there is such scant biographical information available, this is especially valuable and endearing.

From The Wall Street Journal

"He probably wants to endear himself to his father," Minde tells the BBC, but adds that some of the posts are deliberate "provocations".

From BBC

It’s an endearing public image signifying how much fun he is having in his senior season.

From Los Angeles Times

He eventually became fluent in Hindi, a rare achievement in Delhi's foreign press corps and one which endeared him to many Indians for whom he was always "Tully sahib".

From BBC

Related Words

• captivate
• cherish