Pronunciations (7)
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/dɪə/
Pronunciation notes
- Received-Pronunciation
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/dɪɹ/
Pronunciation notes
- General-American
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/dɪə/
Pronunciation notes
- Australia
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/diə/
Pronunciation notes
- New-Zealand
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/diːɹ/
Pronunciation notes
- Scotland
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/dɛː/
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/dɪə/
Pronunciation notes
- General-South-African
Adjective
High in price; expensive.
Usage- Ireland
- UK usage
- Examples
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The dearer the jewel, the greater the love expressed.
More examples (1)
There's more depends on this than on the value. The dearest ring in Venice will I give you, And find it out by proclamation: Only for this, I pray you, pardon me.
This water is sold for 50 cents per ton, which is not dear under the circumstances.
More examples (1)
Every summer we can rent a cottage in the Isle of Wight, if it's not too dear.
Loved; lovable.
- Examples
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"Yes, children dear, wait a bit till it turns itself," she answered - she ought to have said "till I turn it"[.]
More examples (1)
So this was my future home, I thought![…]Backed by towering hills, the but faintly discernible purple line of the French boundary off to the southwest, a sky of palest Gobelin flecked with fat, fleecy little clouds, it in truth looked a dear little city; the city of one's dreams.
"We shall have to put up with whitebait. And, of course, a dear little chicken with peas and roast potatoes."
Lovely; kind.
- Synonyms
- Examples
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"I've never met the kind of man I mean." "Tell me about him. What does he look like?" "Oh, he might look very much like you." "How dear of you to say that!"
Loving, affectionate, heartfelt
- Synonyms
- Examples
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Such dear embrace tenderly comforts even in this dear sorrow.
Precious to or greatly valued by someone.
- Synonyms
- Examples
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The dearer the giver, the dearer the trinket he brings!
[…] dear as sacramental wine To dying lips is all he said […].
A formal way to start (possibly after my) addressing somebody at the beginning of a letter, memo etc.
- Examples
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Dear Sir/Madam/Miss, please notice our offices will be closed during the following bank holidays:[…].
Dearest Joseph/son:...
A formal way to start (often after my) addressing somebody one likes or regards kindly.
- Examples
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My dear friend, I feel better as soon as you come sit beside my sickbed!
More examples (1)
“A very welcome, kind, useful present, that means to the parish. By the way, Hopkins, let this go no further. We don't want the tale running round that a rich person has arrived. Churchill, my dear fellow, we have such greedy sharks, and wolves in lamb's clothing.[…]”
An ironic way to start (often after my) addressing an inferior or someone one dislikes.
- Examples
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My dear man, you ought to think twice about who you're trying to blackmail.
Noble.
Usage- Obsolete
Noun
A very kind, loving person.
- Examples
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My little cousin is such a dear, always drawing me pictures.
A beloved person.
An affectionate, familiar term of address, such as used between husband and wife.
- Examples
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Pass me the salt, would you dear?
An elderly person, especially a woman.
Verb
To endear.
Usage- Obsolete
- Examples
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Nor should a Sonne his Sire loue for reward, But for he is his Sire, in nature dear’d.
More examples (1)
I should have known no less: It hath been taught us from the primal state That he which is was wished until he were; And the ebbed man, ne'er loved till ne'er worth love, Comes deared by being lacked.
Nay, hide him in thy house, and also show Such deared love to him, as to delight In his base company both day and night?
Adverb
Dearly; at a high price.
- Examples
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If thou attempt it, it will cost thee dear.
Interjection
Indicating surprise, pity, or disapproval.
- Examples
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Dear, dear! Whatever were they thinking?
Adjective
Severe, or severely affected; sore.
Fierce.
Usage- Obsolete
- Examples
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The Christens found the heathens dear, as the lion doth the bear.
Adjective
dearly loved
with or in a close or intimate relationship
- Examples
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a good friend
my sisters and brothers are near and dear
sincerely earnest
- Examples
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one's dearest wish
devout wishes for their success
More examples (1)
heartfelt condolences
having a high price
- Synonyms
- Examples
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costly jewelry
high-priced merchandise
More examples (2)
much too dear for my pocketbook
a pricey restaurant
Noun
a beloved person; used as terms of endearment
- Broader terms
a sweet innocent mild-mannered person (especially a child)
- Synonyms
- Broader terms
Adverb
with affection
- Synonyms
- Examples
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she loved him dearly
he treats her affectionately
at a great cost
- Synonyms
- Examples
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he paid dearly for the food
this cost him dear