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.

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endear British  

/ ɪnˈdɪə /

verb

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

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Other Word Forms

• unendeared adjective

Etymology

Origin of endear

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

Example Sentences

And gradually it dawned on all of us that this endearing man was at the Beje to stay.

From Literature

Grace dubs his new friend “Rocky,” and their trans-galactically nutty friendship is one of the most endearing relationships between man and thing since Tom Hanks met Wilson the volleyball in “Cast Away.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Okrent portrays Sondheim as witty and endearing, but also poorly groomed, remote, caustic, quick to anger — and, mostly, quick to forgive.

From Los Angeles Times

The Sun's Felicity Cross gave it five stars, saying that despite being "awkward", it was "endearing, and full of fun banter".

From BBC

Ms. Crawford interweaves her endearing characters’ voices in wonderful ways and includes a glossary of their “Glesga patter.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• captivate
• cherish