dear
dear Lexical Profile
dear Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Used as a polite or affectionate form of address at the beginning of a letter or message.
"The formal invitation began with the salutation 'Dear Professor Henderson'."
Regarded with deep affection; cherished or beloved by someone.
"She remains a very dear friend to our entire family after all these years."
Endearing, sweet, or charming in nature.
"What a dear little cottage they have tucked away in the countryside."
British High-priced or charging higher prices than normal; expensive.
"Fresh produce at the boutique market was far too dear for our weekly budget."
• interjection
Used in expressions of surprise, dismay, sympathy, or mild distress.
"Oh dear, I completely forgot that the library closes early on Saturdays."
• noun
A beloved or endearing person, often used as an affectionate term of address.
"Would you be a dear and help me carry these groceries into the kitchen?"
• adverb
At a high cost or great sacrifice; dearly.
"Their complacency in the first half of the match cost the team dear."
Word Nuance & Usage
Frequently confused with its homophone 'deer' (the hoofed mammal). In the sense of 'expensive', 'dear' is standard in British and Commonwealth English, whereas 'costly' or 'expensive' is preferred in American English.
• Rhymes for dear
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English dēore ('precious, valuable, costly, beloved'), derived from Proto-Germanic *diurijaz, cognate with German teuer ('expensive') and Dutch duur.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.