Definition of 'dear'

COBUILD frequency band

dear

(dɪəʳ

)

Word forms: comparative dearer , superlative dearest , plural dears

1. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun] B2

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] A1

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 A1

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 B1+

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

British English pronunciation

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American English pronunciation

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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

COBUILD frequency band

dear in American English

(dɪr )

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

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

3. now chiefly British

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!

See synonymy note costly

Derived forms

ˈdearly

adverb

ˈdearness

noun

COBUILD frequency band

dear in American English 1

(dɪər) (adjective -er, -est)

adjective

beloved or loved

a dear friend

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

Dear Sir

precious in one's regard; cherished

our dearest possessions

heartfelt; earnest

one's dearest wish

high-priced; expensive

The silk dress was too dear

charging high prices

That shop is too dear for my budget

excessive; high

a dear price to pay for one's independence

8. obsolete

difficult to get; scarce

9. obsolete

worthy; honorable

noun

10.

a person who is good, kind, or generous

You're a dear to help me with the work

11.

a beloved one

12. (sometimes cap)

an affectionate or familiar term of address (sometimes offensive when used to a stranger, subordinate, etc.)

adverb

13.

dearly; fondly

14.

at a high price

That painting cost me dear

interjection

15.

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

Oh dear, what a disappointment!

Dear me! What's all that noise?

SYNONYMS 1. darling, cherished. 5. See expensive.

Derived forms

dearly

adverb

dearness

noun

Word origin

[bef. 900; ME dere, OE dēore; c. OHG tiuri, ON dȳrr]

COBUILD frequency band

dear in American English 2

(dɪər)

adjectiveWord forms: -er, -est

archaic

hard; grievous

Also: dere

Word origin

[bef. 1000; ME dere, OE dēor brave, bold, severe]

Examples of 'dear' in a sentence
dear

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The memory of him was always so dear to me.It clears my head and therefore helps me support those dear to me.He felt closed off from the classical world he held so dear and wanted to be part of.We are going to be around for longer and longer – and we are going to cost you dear.You can also sit in a rowing machine and row for dear life to try and escape the typhoon.It made me think about what we hold dear.But the mortgagebacked securities scandal has also cost the banks dear because of the huge fines they have faced as a result.Car insurance could also cost motorists dear if they buy it through their bank rather than shopping around.It got me thinking about other brands dear to my heart that improve my physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. Oh dear - this just won't do.