Dear Definition & Meaning

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    • Synonyms dear 1 American [deer] / dɪər /

    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 American [deer] / dɪər / Or dere

    adjective

    Archaic. dearer, dearest

    1. hard; grievous.

    dear British / 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

      1. highly priced

      2. charging high prices

    5. appealing or pretty

      what a dear little ring!

    6. urgently or with extreme vigour or desperation

    "Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

    interjection

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

    "Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

    noun

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

    "Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

    adverb

    1. dearly

      his errors have cost him dear

    "Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 dear Idioms

      More idioms and phrases containing dear

      • for dear life
      • nearest and dearest

    Related Words

    See expensive.

    Other Word Forms

    • dearly adverb
    • dearness noun

    Etymology

    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”

    Example Sentences

    Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

    ‘Don’t be silly, dear. I can walk on my own,’ Bubbe replies sharply.

    From Literature

    “It’s a valid question. These, my dear, are no ordinary cameras. These,” he said, patting the camera by his side like it was a dog, “these detect Butterflies.”

    From Literature

    Douglass, the most famous Black man in America, exchanged frequent letters with Amy, writing, “Your family was always very dear to me …”

    From Literature

    “Doesn’t get out much, the Major. Stays close to home. Poor dear. I suggested an outing once. ‘Let’s cross the river,’ I said.

    From Literature

    In a low whisper, Mama said, “Oh, thank you, dear Lord. Oh, thank you. I’ll be forever grateful.”

    From Literature

    Related Words

    • valuable

    Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

    Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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