Definition of 'dear'

Word Frequency

dear

(dɪəʳ )

Word forms: comparative dearer , superlative dearest , plural dears

1. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]

You use dear to describe someone or something that you feel affection for.

Mrs Cavendish is a dear friend of mine.

At last I am back at my dear little desk.

Synonyms: beloved, close, valued, favourite More Synonyms of dear

2. adjective

If something is dear to you or dear to your heart, you care deeply about it.

His family life was very dear to him.

This is a subject very dear to the hearts of academics up and down the country.

3. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]

You use dear in expressions such as 'my dear fellow', 'dear girl', or 'my dear Richard' when you are addressing someone whom you know and are fond of. You can also use expressions like this in a rude way to indicate that you think you are superior to the person you are addressing.

[British, feelings]

Of course, Toby, my dear fellow, of course.

Take as long as you like, dear boy.

4. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]

Dear is written at the beginning of a letter or email, followed by the name or title of the person you are writing to.

Dear Peter, I have been thinking about you so much during the past few days.

5. convention

In British English, you begin formal letters or emails with 'Dear Sir' or 'Dear Madam'. In American English, you begin them with 'Sir' or 'Madam'.

[written]

'Dear sir,' she began.

6. countable noun

You can call someone dear as a sign of affection.

[feelings]

You're a lot like me, dear.

'Good night, my dears,' she called to us as we closed her door behind us.

7. exclamation

You can use dear in expressions such as 'oh dear', 'dear me', and 'dear, dear' when you are sad, disappointed, or surprised about something.

[feelings]

'Oh dear, oh dear.' McKinnon sighed. 'You, too.'

Outside, Bruce glanced at his watch: 'Dear me, nearly one o'clock.'

8. countable noun

You can call someone a dear when you are fond of them and think that they are nice.

He's such a dear.

9. adjective [usually verb-link ADJECTIVE]

If you say that something is dear, you mean that it costs a lot of money, usually more than you can afford or more than you think it should cost.

[mainly British, informal, disapproval]

Clothes here are much dearer than in the States.

They're too dear.

10.

See to cost someone dear

More Synonyms of dear

Video: pronunciation of
dear

dear in British English

(dɪə )

adjective

beloved; precious

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

3. (postpositive; foll by to)

important; close

a wish dear to her heart

highly priced

charging high prices

appealing or pretty

what a dear little ring!

6. See for dear life

exclamation

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

noun

8. (often used in direct address)

someone regarded with affection and tenderness; darling

adverb

dearly

his errors have cost him dear

Derived forms

dearness (ˈdearness)

noun

Word origin

Old English dēore; related to Old Norse dӯrr

Word Frequency

dear in American English

(dɪr )

adjective

much loved; beloved

much valued; highly thought of; esteemed

used with a title or name as a polite form of address, as in writing letters

Dear Sir

high-priced; costly

earnest; fervent

our dearest wish

adverb

with deep affection

at a high cost

noun

a loved person; darling

often a term of affectionate address

an endearing person; one who arouses gentle affection, tenderness, or gratitude

interjection

used to express distress, surprise, pity, etc., usually in phrases

oh, dear! dear me! dear God!

SIMILAR WORDS: ˈcostly

Derived forms

dearly (ˈdearly)

adverb

dearness (ˈdearness)

noun

Word origin

ME dere < OE deore, precious, costly, beloved, akin to Du duur, Ger teuer

Examples of 'dear' in a sentence
dear

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This failure to understand the business cost the company dear.We had to hold on for dear life.It made me think about what we hold dear.We welcome those who are prepared to make a stand to defend all they hold dear regardless of the cost.But the mortgagebacked securities scandal has also cost the banks dear because of the huge fines they have faced as a result.These five days have cost Arsenal dear.And that momentary fantasy costs you dear because as you land, you twist your knee. Leicester looked second best all afternoon and their lack of discipline, with three yellow cards, also cost them dear.She said:'I have no doubt that the loss of her close and very dear friend in very tragic circumstances would have had a profound effect.Across from the flat was a dear little shop.