near and dear

phrase

: very close in relationship

friends who are near and dear

my nearest and dearest friend

Examples of near and dear in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Naturally, Phillips’s nearest and dearest in the royal family were the first to hear the news, as the statement noted. — Stephanie Bridger-Linning, Vanity Fair, 2 Apr. 2026

Cassoulet Just as Southerners hold casserole near and dear to our hearts, Julia Child celebrated the cassoulet as a perfectly humble dish of beans and meat. — Zoe Denenberg, Southern Living, 31 Mar. 2026

Yes tribute band called Roundabout from 1998 to 2005, so the music of Yes is near and dear to my heart. — George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026

None of these sports are near and dear to me. — Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2026

Rhymes for near and dear

• auctioneer
• bandelier
• belvedere
• bombardier
• brigadier
• buccaneer
• cavalier
• chandelier
• chanticleer
• chevalier
• commandeer
• disappear