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.)

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