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Definition of dearly

dearly

/ˈdɪr.li/
dear · ly
Adjective:dear
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dearly Lexical Profile

dearly Game Scores & Validity

• adverb

1

With great affection, tenderness, or deep fondness.

Example

"She loved her grandparents dearly and visited them every weekend."

2

Very much; to a great degree or intensity (often used with verbs of wishing, hoping, or missing).

Example

"I would dearly love to see the manuscript before it goes to print."

3

At a high cost, price, or great sacrifice.

Example

"The company paid dearly for ignoring the early warning signs in the market."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for dearly

• Nearby Words

dear
dearest
dearie
dearly
dearness
dearth
death

Word Origin & Etymology

From Old English 'dēorlīce', formed from 'dēore' (precious, beloved, costly) and the adverbial suffix '-līce'.

Cite this Entry

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