dearly

adverb

dear·​ly ˈdir-lē 

1

: with affection : fondly

2

: heartily, earnestly

prayed so dearly for peace

3

: at a high rate or price

paid dearly for the error

Examples of dearly in a Sentence

I would dearly love to see them again.

He dearly wanted to believe that it was true.

Recent Examples on the Web

The specific references to the music of the ’50s and ’60s that Fagen so dearly loves highlight a central tension in his work. — Mark Richardson, Pitchfork, 8 Nov. 2026

Bringing a personal concept to Hollywood is something Sealey would dearly love to do. — Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026

In the past, that has cost the company dearly, though perhaps not enough. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

There’s peace—paid for dearly—after a long pause, or a dark room demanding to be occupied. — Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing dearly

• cost (someone) dearly/dear
• pay dearly

Rhymes for dearly

• clearly
• merely
• nearly
• queerly
• yearly
• austerely
• severely
• sincerely
• cavalierly