dear

¹

[deer]

adjective

dearer, dearest 

1. beloved or loved.

   a dear friend.

   Synonyms: darling

2. (used in the salutation of a letter as an expression of affection or respect or as a conventional greeting).

   Dear Sir.

3. precious in one's regard; cherished.

   our dearest possessions.

4. heartfelt; earnest.

   one's dearest wish.

5. high-priced; expensive.

   The silk dress was too dear.

6. charging high prices.

   That shop is too dear for my budget.

7. excessive; high.

   a dear price to pay for one's independence.

8. Obsolete.,  difficult to get; scarce.

9. Obsolete.,  worthy; honorable.

noun

1. a person who is good, kind, or generous.

   You're a dear to help me with the work.

2. a beloved one.

3. (sometimes initial capital letter),  an affectionate or familiar term of address, as to a child or romantic partner (sometimes offensive when used to a stranger, subordinate, etc.)

adverb

1. dearly; fondly.

2. at a high price.

   That painting cost me dear.

interjection

1. (used as an exclamation of surprise, distress, etc.).

   Oh dear, what a disappointment! Dear me! What's all that noise?

dear

²

Or dere

[deer]

adjective

Archaic.

dearer, dearest 

1. hard; grievous.

dear

/ dɪə /

adjective

1. beloved; precious

2. used in conventional forms of address preceding a title or name, as in Dear Sir or my dear Mr Smith

3. important; close

   a wish dear to her heart

4. 1. highly priced

   2. charging high prices

5. appealing or pretty

   what a dear little ring!

6. urgently or with extreme vigour or desperation

interjection

1. used in exclamations of surprise or dismay, such as Oh dear! and dear me!

noun

1. (often used in direct address) someone regarded with affection and tenderness; darling

adverb

1. dearly

   his errors have cost him dear

Other Word Forms

• dearly adverb
• dearness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of dear¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English dere, deire, Old English dēore, dīore, dȳre; cognate with Old High German tiuri, Old Norse dȳrr

Origin of dear²

First recorded before 1000; Middle English dere “fierce, hard,” Old English dēor “brave, bold, severe”

Word History and Origins

Origin of dear¹

Old English dēore; related to Old Norse dӯrr

Idioms and Phrases

• for dear life
• nearest and dearest

Synonym Study

See expensive.

Example Sentences

His white dress shirt screams for dear life as it struggles to maintain its integrity around his massive form.

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“Don’t fret, my dear. The advertisement will be in Thursday’s paper. I’m sure we’ll have dozens of ladies to choose from,” he said as they approached.

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Penny dear, you must say yes; your alma mater needs you.

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“Of course not is right. It is ridiculous to worry. I am lovely and charming; everyone says so. Ah-choo! Oh dear, the powder is all up my nose. Ah-choo! Ah.choo!”

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“Let go of the man’s sleeve, dear,” Penelope instructed.

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Related Words

• valuable