deary

American  

[deer-ee] / ˈdɪər i /

Or dearie

noun

Informal: Sometimes Facetious.

• dearies
  plural

1. darling.

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deary British  

/ ˈdɪərɪ /

noun

1. informal a term of affection: now often sarcastic or facetious

2. an exclamation of surprise or dismay

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• dearies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of deary

First recorded in 1675–85; dear ¹ + -y ²

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

deary dearies

It comes when Callas, resplendent even in a bathrobe, glides into the kitchen to sing at Bruna while the poor deary cooks her an omelet.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 27, 2024

Laurie thanked her with a look that made her think in a sudden panic, “Oh, deary me! I know he’ll say something, and then what shall I do?”

From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott

But I’m content, for it’s comin’ to me, my deary, and comin’ quick.

From "Dracula" by Bram Stoker

Lucy Now, deary, tell me all about it.

From Why Marry? by Jesse Lynch Williams

To m' Sarah, m' deary, of course I alluded, And though speaking a figure of speech only true did.

From The Anglican Friar and the Fish which he Took by Hook and by Crook by A. Novice

Step on a crack, my dearies, step on a crack and teach your granny to suck eggs from her one basket.

From The New Yorker ● Sep. 2, 2019

We had them all: cat’s-eyes, aggies, dearies, milkies, steelies, glassies, onionskins.

From Full of Beans by Jennifer L. Holm

"For you know, my dearies, your poor Grandmamma has not been well and the start might be bad for her," she explained.

From Us An Old Fashioned Story by Mrs. Molesworth

“Lawk, mother!” cried Anne, “it’s the young lady and gentleman from Fieldside.—Come in, dearies, and sit ye down.”

From Black, White and Gray A Story of Three Homes by Robert Barnes

Kiss the Queen, dearies, and then eat your cake and cream.

From Harper's Round Table, May 28, 1895 by Various