dear
deer
Dear (adj) means Regarded with deep affection or love. Example: “My dear old neighbour always brings us tomatoes from her garden.”
adj
1
Regarded with deep affection or love.
"My dear old neighbour always brings us tomatoes from her garden."
"She's a dear friend of mine."
"His memory remains dear to the whole family."
2
Costly; expensive.
"I loved the coat, but it was far too dear for me."
"Fresh strawberries are always dearer in the middle of winter."
"Petrol has become much dearer this year."
3
Used as a polite way to open a letter or address someone.
"Dear Mrs Patel, thank you for your quick reply to my message."
"Dear Alex, I hope you are well and enjoying your new job."
"Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to enquire about..."
intj
1
Used to express surprise, pity, or mild disapproval, often as "oh dear".
"Dear me, is that the time? I must run."
"Oh dear, the milk has gone sour again."
"Oh dear, I think we've missed the last train."
How to use dear
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLoved and valued, or (especially in British English) expensive — plus the standard polite way to open a letter.
UK vs US
The "expensive" sense of dear is much more common in British English than American English.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
dear friend
Dear Sir/Madam
too dear
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Word forms
- Plural
- dears
- Third person singular
- dears
- Past tense
- deared
- Comparative
- dearer, more dear
- Superlative
- dearest, most dear
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
My _____ old neighbour always brings us tomatoes from her garden.
Etymology
From Old English diere, "of great value, precious, beloved", from a Germanic root shared with German teuer, "expensive".
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for dear
See all rhymes for dear →Frequently asked questions
What does “dear” mean?
The word “dear” means regarded with deep affection or love. In plain terms, loved and valued, or (especially in British English) expensive — plus the standard polite way to open a letter.
How do you pronounce “dear”?
“Dear” is pronounced deer (/dɪɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “dear” in a sentence?
Here is “dear” used in a sentence: “She's a dear friend of mine.”
What part of speech is “dear”?
Depending on how it is used, “dear” can be an adjective and an intj.
Where does the word “dear” come from?
The word “dear” comes from Old English. From Old English diere, "of great value, precious, beloved", from a Germanic root shared with German teuer, "expensive".
Is “dear” a common word?
“Dear” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “dear” have?
“Dear” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: regarded with deep affection or love.
What is the difference between "dear" and "deer"?
They sound identical but mean completely different things. "Dear" is an adjective for someone or something held in deep affection, and a polite way to begin a letter, as in "Dear Sir." "Deer" is the hoofed woodland animal with antlers. Remembering that "deer" contains two e's, like the animal's two ears, can help.
Does "dear" also mean expensive?
Yes. In British English especially, "dear" can mean costly, as in "milk has got very dear lately." This older sense grew from the idea of something being precious and highly valued. So the same word can describe both a beloved person and a high price, though context makes the meaning clear.
Is "dear" formal or informal?
It works in both registers. As a term of affection, in "my dear" or "dear friend," it feels warm and slightly old-fashioned. As a letter opening, in "Dear Ms Jones," it is standard and formal. As an exclamation of dismay, in "oh dear," it is casual and mild.
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