dear

/diə/
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dear

A grandmother writes a dear letter to her grandchild.

Definition

  1. Adjective:

    • Loved or valued very much; cherished: Used to describe someone or something that is held in deep affection or is very important to you.
    • Expensive, high in price: Used to describe something that costs a lot of money.
    • Used as a polite or affectionate form of address: Used at the beginning of a letter or in speech to show politeness or affection.

  2. Adverb:

    • At a high cost or price: Used to indicate that something was obtained or done with great expense or sacrifice.
    • With deep affection or fondness: Used to describe an action done in a loving or caring manner.

  3. Noun:

    • A beloved or cherished person: A term used to refer to someone you love, often as a form of endearment.
    • A kind or lovable person: Used to describe someone, especially a child, who is sweet and endearing.
Usage Examples

  • Adjective:

    • She is my dear friend. (She is a friend I love and value deeply.)
    • The apartment was too dear for our budget. (The apartment was too expensive for our budget.)
    • Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to inquire... (A polite opening for a formal letter.)

  • Adverb:

    • He paid dear for his mistake. (He suffered a lot or paid a high price for his mistake.)
    • She loves him dearly. (She loves him very much.)

  • Noun:

    • Come here, my dear. (A loving way to call someone you care for.)
    • The little girl is such a dear. (The little girl is a very sweet and lovable person.)
Advanced Usage

  • "For dear life": With great effort or desperation, as if one's life depends on it.

    • He held onto the rope for dear life. (He held onto the rope with all his strength and desperation.)

  • "Dear to one's heart": Very important or cherished by someone.

    • The charity work is a cause dear to her heart. (The charity work is a cause she cares about deeply.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Dearly (adverb): Very much; at a high cost.
    • She dearly wishes to see her family. (She very much wants to see her family.)
  • Dearness (noun): The quality of being loved or being expensive.
    • The dearness of the memory made her smile. (The cherished quality of the memory made her smile.)
Synonyms
  • Adjective (beloved): Cherished, precious, darling, loved.
  • Adjective (expensive): Costly, pricey, high-priced.
  • Noun: Sweetheart, darling, love, beloved.
Related Phrases and Idioms
  • Oh dear!: An exclamation expressing surprise, regret, disappointment, or sympathy.
    • Oh dear! I've spilled my coffee. (Expressing regret over an accident.)
  • Dear me!: An old-fashioned exclamation similar to "Oh dear!"
    • Dear me! Is it that time already? (Expressing surprise.)
dear

A grandmother writes a dear letter to her grandchild.

Adjective
  1. having a high price
    • costly jewelry
    • high-priced merchandise
    • much too dear for my pocketbook
    • a pricey restaurant
  2. earnest
    • one's dearest wish
    • devout wishes for their success
    • heartfelt condolences
  3. with or in a close or intimate relationship
    • a good friend
    • my sisters and brothers are near and dear
  4. dearly loved
Adverb
  1. at a great cost
    • he paid dearly for the food
    • this cost him dear
  2. with affection
    • she loved him dearly
    • he treats her affectionately
Noun
  1. a sweet innocent mild-mannered person (especially a child)
  2. a beloved person; used as terms of endearment

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