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Definition of dearie

dearie

/ˈdɪr.i/
dear · ie
Plural:dearies
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dearie Lexical Profile

dearie Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A beloved or charming person; most commonly used as an informal, familiar, or occasionally patronizing form of address.

Example

"The kindly shopkeeper handed the child a peppermint and asked how she was doing today, dearie."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for dearie

Word Nuance & Usage

While originally an affectionate term of endearment, 'dearie' is frequently used in modern speech with a patronizing, condescending, or ironic tone, especially when addressing strangers or younger adults.

• Rhymes for dearie

• Nearby Words

deanship
dear
dearest
dearie
dearly
dearness
dearth

Word Origin & Etymology

First recorded in the late 17th century, formed from the noun 'dear' (from Old English 'dēore', meaning precious or beloved) combined with the Scots and northern English diminutive suffix '-ie'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Dearie. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/dearie
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