Dear definition

dîr
dearest
See word origin
Frequency:
Highly esteemed or regarded. Used in direct address, especially in salutations.

Dear Lee Dawson.

adjective
12
6
Much valued; highly thought of; esteemed.

Dear Sir.

adjective
4
2
With deep affection.
adverb
4
2
A formal way to start (possibly after my) addressing somebody at the beginning of a letter, memo etc.

Dear Sir/Madam/Miss, please notice our offices will be closed during the following bank holidays: […] .

adjective
4
2
Dear is a person who is loved.

An example of dear is a grandmother.

noun
3
1
Advertisement
Dear is defined as the greeting of a letter.

An example of dear is how to begin a letter to a close friend.

interjection
2
0
Earnest; ardent.
adjective
7
6
(obsolete) Noble; worthy.
adjective
1
0
Heartfelt.

It is my dearest wish.

adjective
1
0
Loved and cherished.

My dearest friend.

adjective
1
0
Advertisement
Greatly valued; precious.

Lost everything dear to them.

adjective
1
0
High-priced; expensive.
adjective
1
0
Charging high prices.
adjective
1
0
Severe; grievous; sore.

Our dearest need.

adjective
1
0
An endearing person; one who arouses gentle affection, tenderness, or gratitude.
noun
1
0
Advertisement

Such dear embrace tenderly comforts even in this dear sorrow.

adjective
1
0
The definition of dear is precious or highly thought of.

An example of dear is a close, beloved friend.

adjective
1
1
Earnest; fervent.

Our dearest wish.

adjective
1
1
At a high cost.
adverb
1
1
(now chiefly brit.) High-priced; costly.
adjective
0
0
Advertisement
adjective
0
0
Precious to or greatly valued by someone.

The dearer the giver, the dearer the trinket he brings!

adjective
0
0
High in price; expensive.

The dearer the jewel, the greater the love expressed?

adjective
0
0
A formal way to start (often after my) addressing somebody one likes or regards kindly.

My dear friend, I feel better as soon as you come sit beside my sickbed!

adjective
0
0
An ironic way to start (often after my) addressing an inferior.

My dear boy, if your grades don't pick up I won't bounce you on but over my knee!

adjective
0
0
Advertisement
A very kind, loving person.

My cousin is such a dear, always drawing me pictures.

noun
0
0
A beloved person.
noun
0
0
(obsolete) To endear.

verb
0
0
(obsolete) Dearly; at a high price.
adverb
0
0
Severe(ly affected), sore.
adjective
0
0
Advertisement
A person who is greatly loved. Often used as a form of address.
noun
0
1
An endearing, lovable, or kind person.

What a dear she is!

noun
0
1
With fondness; affectionately.
adverb
0
1
At a high cost.

Sold their wares dear.

adverb
0
1
Much loved; beloved.
adjective
0
1
Advertisement
A loved person; darling.
noun
0
1
Used to express distress, surprise, pity, etc., usually in phrases.

Oh, dear! dear me! dear God!

interjection
0
1
Used as a polite exclamation, chiefly of surprise or distress.

Oh dear; dear me.

interjection
0
2

Other Word Forms

Noun

Singular:
dear
Plural:
dears

Adjective

Base Form:
dear
Comparative:
dearer
Superlative:
dearest

Origin of dear

  • Middle English dere from Old English dēore

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Middle English dere from Old English dēor

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Middle English dere, from Old English dēore. Cognate with Dutch duur (“costly, precious”), German teuer (“costly, precious”), Icelandic dýr (“expensive”), Norwegian dyr, Swedish dyr (“expensive”).

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English dere, from Old English dēor. Cognate with the above

    From Wiktionary