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   dear

   /dɪə/

   adjective

   • 1. regarded with deep affection: "a dear friend" Similar belovedlovedmuch loveddarlingadoredcherishedpreciousesteemedrespectedworshippedcloseintimateconfidentialbosomboonfavouritebestprecioustreasuredvaluedprizedcherishedspecialfavouritefavouredOpposite hated
   • ▪ used in speech as a polite or affectionate form of address: "Martin, my dear fellow" Similar belovedlovedmuch loveddarlingadoredcherishedpreciousesteemedrespectedworshippedcloseintimateconfidentialbosomboonfavouritebestOpposite hated
   • ▪ used in the polite form of address at the start of a letter.
   • ▪ endearing; sweet: "a dear little puppy" Similar endearingadorablelovableappealingengagingcharmingenchantingcaptivatingwinsomewinningattractivelovelynicepleasantdelightfulangelicsweetdarlingcunningsimpaticosympathiquesympatischinformal:adorbsdated:takingOpposite disagreeable
   • 2. expensive: British "five pounds—that's a bit dear!" Similar expensivecostlyhigh-costhigh-pricedhighly pricedbig-budgetoverpricedexorbitantextortionateimmoderateextravagantlavishvaluableupmarketover the oddsinformal:priceysteepstiffOpposite inexpensive

   noun

   • 1. used as an affectionate or friendly form of address: "don't you worry, dear" Similar darlingdearestlovebelovedloved onesweetheartsweetprecioustreasurequeridainformal:sweetiesugarhoneybabybabebaepetsunshinepoppetarchaic:sweeting
   • ▪ a sweet or endearing person: "Harry's a dear" Similar lovable personadorable personendearing persondarlingsweetheartpetangelgemtreasureinformal:star

   adverb

   • 1. at a high cost: British "they buy property cheaply and sell dear"

   exclamation

   • 1. used in expressions of surprise, dismay, or sympathy: "oh dear, I've upset you"

   Word Origin Old Englishdēore, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch dier ‘beloved’, also to Dutch duur and German teuer ‘expensive’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. dearness noun

   Scrabble Points: 5

   • D

     2

   • E

     1

   • A

     1

   • R

     1

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