51³Ô¹Ï

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View synonyms for

dear

1

[ deer ]

adjective

dearer, dearest.
  1. beloved or loved:

    a dear friend.

    Synonyms:

  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
or dere

[ deer ]

adjective

Archaic.
dearer, dearest.
  1. hard; grievous.

dear

/ »åɪə /

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. postpositivefoll byto important; close

    a wish dear to her heart

    1. highly priced
    2. charging high prices
  4. appealing or pretty

    what a dear little ring!

  5. for dear life
    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
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Derived Forms

  • ˈ»å±ð²¹°ù²Ô±ð²õ²õ, noun
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Other 51³Ô¹Ï Forms

  • »å±ð²¹°ùl²â adverb
  • »å±ð²¹°ùn±ð²õ²õ noun
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51³Ô¹Ï History and Origins

Origin of dear1

First recorded before 900; Middle English dere, deire, Old English »åŧ´Ç°ùe, dÄ«ore, dyÌ„re; cognate with Old High German tiuri, Old Norse »å²âÌ„°ù°ù

Origin of dear2

First recorded before 1000; Middle English dere “fierce, hard,†Old English »åŧ´Ç°ù “brave, bold, severeâ€
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51³Ô¹Ï History and Origins

Origin of dear1

Old English »åŧ´Ç°ùe; related to Old Norse »åÓ¯°ù°ù
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Idioms and Phrases

In addition to the idiom beginning with dear , also see for dear life ; nearest and dearest .
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Synonym Study

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

"It's actually brought us closer together. Now we meet up more often and I get cards sent to 'my dear sister'," she says.

From

Before getting exhibitors excited about Paramount’s “Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning,†coming out next month in the United States, the movie star talked about Kilmer, his “dear friend†and occasional co-star.

From

Norris mourned the loss of his “dear friend and brother†on Sunday, sharing behind-the-scenes photos and pictures of their on-screen battles on Instagram.

From

It was an experience that he continues to hold dear.

From

"Cheryl Woods, cherished by those in her life, fulfilled the roles of a loving mother, doting grandmother, cherished sister, and a dear friend," the tribute read.

From

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Related 51³Ô¹Ïs

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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