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)

• big-ticket
• costly
• expensive
• extravagant
• high
• high-end
• high-ticket
• precious
• premium
• priceless
• pricey
• pricy
• spendy [chiefly Northwest]
• ultraexpensive
• valuable

Noun

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

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

And then, dear reader, I was passed a copy of a new report that revealed a revised and truly concerning number of plaintext credentials leaked publicly. —Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025

Another important presence is one of Pan’s closest and dearest friends, Pat, who also happened to be Machado’s hairdresser for more than 30 years. —Jordan Greene, People.com, 9 May 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