dear

¹dear

adjective \ˈdir\

Definition of DEAR

: severe, sore <in our dear peril — Shakespeare>

Origin of DEAR

Middle English dere, from Old English dēor

First Known Use: before 12th century

Rhymes with DEAR

beer, bier, blear, cere, cheer, clear, deer, Deere, drear, ear, fear, fere, fleer, gear, hear, here, jeer, leer, mere, mir, near, peer, pier, Pierre, queer, rear, schmear, sear, seer, sere, shear, sheer, skirr, smear, sneer, spear, speer, sphere, steer, tear, tier, Trier, Tyr, veer, weir, year

²dear

adjective

Definition of DEAR

1

obsolete : noble

2

: highly valued : precious <a dear friend> —often used in a salutation <dear Sir>

3

: affectionate, fond

4

: high or exorbitant in price : expensive <eggs are very dear just now>

5

: heartfelt <our dearest prayers>

— dear·ness noun

Origin of DEAR

Middle English dere, from Old English dēore; akin to Old High German tiuri distinguished, costly

First Known Use: before 12th century

³dear

adverb

Definition of DEAR

1

: dearly 3 <the effort cost them dear>

2

: dearly 1 <so dear I loved the man — Shakespeare>

First Known Use of DEAR

before 12th century

⁴dear

noun

Definition of DEAR

1

: a loved one : sweetheart

2

: a lovable person

Examples of DEAR

1. Be a dear and take this for me.

First Known Use of DEAR

13th century

Related to DEAR

Synonyms

beloved, darling, sweetheart, flame, hon, honey, love, squeeze [slang], sweet, sweetie, sweetie pie, truelove

Related Words

beau, boy, boyfriend, fellow, man, swain; gal, girl, girlfriend, inamorata, ladylove, lass, mistress, tootsie; amour, lover, paramour; doll, duck(s) [chiefly British], pet; date, escort, steady; admirer, gallant, suitor, wooer; groom, husband; bride, wife; significant other; fiancé, intended; crush, heartthrob

⁵dear

interjection

Definition of DEAR

—used especially to express annoyance or dismay

First Known Use of DEAR

1694