1
: highly valued : precious
a dear friend
Our friendship is very dear to me.
ran for dear life
—often used in a salutationdear Sir
2
: affectionate, fond
3
: high or exorbitant in price : expensive
eggs are very dear just now
4
: heartfelt
our dearest prayers
5
obsolete
: noble
dearness
noun
1
: dearly sense 3
the effort cost them dear
2
: dearly sense 1
so dear I loved the man—
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare1
: a loved one : sweetheart
How was your day, dear?
2
: a lovable person
Be a dear and get me a drink.
—used especially to express annoyance or dismay
Oh dear!
Synonyms
Examples of dear in a Sentence
Noun
Be a dear and take this for me.
Recent Examples on the WebUSA TODAY, 7 Jan. 2024
Thomas’s purpose and intention for this brunch was to honor and celebrate a film he’s held dear to him since childhood.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 4 Dec. 2023
The Puerto Rican hitmaker was spotted gifting one of his sparkly necklaces to a young fan who couldn’t hold back the dears as his idol gave him this special gift.
—Griselda Flores, Billboard, 29 July 2023
There was also a giant model of Iron Man, a Marvel superhero dear to Dr. Howard.
—Noreen Malone, New York Times, 1 June 2023
Such are the changes in language and culture over time, a subject dear to the pen of Valerie Fridland, a professor of linguistics at the University of Nevada, Reno.
—Dave Shiflett, wsj.com, 11 May 2023
Barbie will also donate $25,000 to Asian American LEAD, a nonprofit dear to Wong that serves low-income and underserved Asian Pacific American youth.
—Christopher Brito, CBS News, 1 May 2023
See you tomorrow, my dear.
—Marion Renault, The New Yorker, 23 Nov. 2022
Dont go there, my dear, said John.
—New York Times, 14 Oct. 2022
Kyle Thomas, Peoplemag, 7 Apr. 2024
And a dear friend of mine who was going to be putting it on, Jake Garber, who’s one of the best special effects makeup guys in the business.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 4 Apr. 2024
So, dear reader, have fun adjusting the electorate and seeing just how the election could play out under different circumstances.
—Geoffrey Skelley, ABC News, 4 Apr. 2024
Rest in peace dear friend, you will be deeply missed.
—Michaela Zee, Variety, 3 Apr. 2024
Rest in peace, dear friend, you will be deeply missed.
—Nick Romano, EW.com, 1 Apr. 2024
On Monday, Parker's dearest friends and castmates turned to Instagram to pay tribute to the actress and her latest trip around the sun.
—Esther Kang, Peoplemag, 26 Mar. 2024
On this early spring evening, dear reader, I was saved by the sticker.
—Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2024
Are my feelings valid? — MOURNING IN MISSOURI DEAR MOURNING: Please accept my sympathy for the loss of your dear mother.
—Jeanne Phillips, The Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2024
Noun
As the moon and Neptune harmonize, explore a spiritual study dear to your heart.
—USA TODAY, 7 Jan. 2024
Thomas’s purpose and intention for this brunch was to honor and celebrate a film he’s held dear to him since childhood.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 4 Dec. 2023
The Puerto Rican hitmaker was spotted gifting one of his sparkly necklaces to a young fan who couldn’t hold back the dears as his idol gave him this special gift.
—Griselda Flores, Billboard, 29 July 2023
There was also a giant model of Iron Man, a Marvel superhero dear to Dr. Howard.
—Noreen Malone, New York Times, 1 June 2023
Such are the changes in language and culture over time, a subject dear to the pen of Valerie Fridland, a professor of linguistics at the University of Nevada, Reno.
—Dave Shiflett, wsj.com, 11 May 2023
Barbie will also donate $25,000 to Asian American LEAD, a nonprofit dear to Wong that serves low-income and underserved Asian Pacific American youth.
—Christopher Brito, CBS News, 1 May 2023
See you tomorrow, my dear.
—Marion Renault, The New Yorker, 23 Nov. 2022
Dont go there, my dear, said John.
—New York Times, 14 Oct. 2022
Adjective
Luck is on your side this week, Gemini, as a remarkable door could open that leads you to celebrate a victory dear to your heart.
—Kyle Thomas, Peoplemag, 7 Apr. 2024
And a dear friend of mine who was going to be putting it on, Jake Garber, who’s one of the best special effects makeup guys in the business.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 4 Apr. 2024
So, dear reader, have fun adjusting the electorate and seeing just how the election could play out under different circumstances.
—Geoffrey Skelley, ABC News, 4 Apr. 2024
Rest in peace dear friend, you will be deeply missed.
—Michaela Zee, Variety, 3 Apr. 2024
Rest in peace, dear friend, you will be deeply missed.
—Nick Romano, EW.com, 1 Apr. 2024
On Monday, Parker's dearest friends and castmates turned to Instagram to pay tribute to the actress and her latest trip around the sun.
—Esther Kang, Peoplemag, 26 Mar. 2024
On this early spring evening, dear reader, I was saved by the sticker.
—Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2024
Are my feelings valid? — MOURNING IN MISSOURI DEAR MOURNING: Please accept my sympathy for the loss of your dear mother.
—Jeanne Phillips, The Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dear.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Dear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dear. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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