dear
1beloved 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.
Obsolete. difficult to get; scarce.
Obsolete. worthy; honorable.
a person who is good, kind, or generous: You're a dear to help me with the work.
a beloved one.
(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.)
dearly; fondly.
at a high price: That painting cost me dear.
(used as an exclamation of surprise, distress, etc.): Oh dear, what a disappointment! Dear me! What's all that noise?
Origin of dear
1synonym study For dear
Other words for dear
1 | darling, cherished |
Other words from dear
- dearly, adverb
- dearness, noun
Other definitions for dear (2 of 2)
or dere
hard; grievous.
Origin of dear
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use dear in a sentence
The difficulties which impede mine-working in these parts are caused chiefly by the dearness of labor and the scarcity of fuel.
He had spoken of the former dearness between himself and this gentleman, tied upon the knot of his virtues.
Sir Walter Ralegh | William StebbingInvention and discovery have replaced scarcity and dearness with abundance and cheapness.
The Harris-Ingram Experiment | Charles E. BoltonBut there is dearness in this mood, which is indifferent and scornful and slightingly patient, though it wants splendor.
I, Mary MacLane | Mary MacLaneShe passed, brushed lightly against him, as he stood trembling with the sense of her dearness to him.
The Squirrel-Cage | Dorothy Canfield
British Dictionary definitions for dear
/ (dɪə) /
beloved; precious
used in conventional forms of address preceding a title or name, as in Dear Sir or my dear Mr Smith
(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!
for dear life urgently or with extreme vigour or desperation
used in exclamations of surprise or dismay, such as Oh dear! and dear me!
(often used in direct address) someone regarded with affection and tenderness; darling
dearly: his errors have cost him dear
Origin of dear
1Derived forms of dear
- dearness, noun
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
Other Idioms and Phrases with dear
In addition to the idiom beginning with dear
- dear me
also see:
- for dear life
- nearest and dearest
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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