dear

1 of 5

adjective (1)

ˈdir 

1

: highly valued : precious

a dear friend

Our friendship is very dear to me.

ran for dear life

—often used in a salutation

dear 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

dear

2 of 5

adverb

1

: dearly sense 3

the effort cost them dear

2

: dearly sense 1

so dear I loved the man

—William Shakespeare

dear

3 of 5

noun

1

: a loved one : sweetheart

How was your day, dear?

2

: a lovable person

Be a dear and get me a drink.

dear

4 of 5

interjection

—used especially to express annoyance or dismay

Oh dear!

dear

5 of 5

adjective (2)

: severe, sore

in our dear peril

—William Shakespeare

Synonyms

Adjective (1)

• valuable
• expensive
• precious
• costly

Noun

• darling
• sweetheart
• sweetie

Examples of dear in a Sentence

Adjective (1)

caviar has always been among the dearest of foods

spared no expense when caring for and feeding her dear little dog

a dear friend that I would do anything for

Noun

Be a dear and take this for me.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Black bag, my dear — her work trip sets off a chain reaction in which George’s strength, i.e., faith in their relationship, becomes his weakness. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2025

Of course, Joe and I discussed the difference and the relationship between noise and music, which was a theme dear to the futurists. —Billboard Italy, Billboard, 13 Jan. 2025

Adjective

For Decker, being able to create something with a dear friend has been really rewarding. —Alex Ross, People.com, 27 June 2025

Lenox lives in Mayfair, next door to his dearest friend, a widow in her early thirties. —The New Yorker, New Yorker, 25 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective (1), Adverb, Noun, and Interjection

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

Adjective (2)

Middle English dere, from Old English dēor — see dear entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 5

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Interjection

1694, in the meaning defined above

Adjective (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing dear

• close/dear/near to one's heart
• cost (someone) dearly/dear
• for dear life
• near and dear
• near and dear to her heart

Rhymes for dear

• beer
• bier
• cheer
• clear
• deer
• drear
• ear
• fear
• fier
• gear
• hear
• here

Kids Definition

dear

1 of 2 adjective

ˈdi(ə)r 

1

: highly valued : precious

2

—used as a form of address in letters and sometimes in speech

Dear Sir

3

: high-priced : expensive

4

: deeply and earnestly felt

my dearest wish

dear adverb

dearly adverb

dearness noun

dear

2 of 2 noun

: a loved one : darling