dearie
Dearie (noun) means an affectionate, often slightly old-fashioned term of address for someone dear, like "sweetie". Example: “Come in out of the cold, dearie.”
How to use dearie
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA cosy, old-fashioned term of address, similar to "sweetie" or "love".
Informal and a bit dated; often used by older speakers, sometimes with a hint of condescension in modern use.
Word forms
dearies plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Come in out of the cold, _____.
Etymology
From dear plus the diminutive suffix -ie.
Related words
Rhymes for dearie
See all rhymes for dearie →Frequently asked questions
What does “dearie” mean?
The word “dearie” means an affectionate, often slightly old-fashioned term of address for someone dear, like "sweetie". In plain terms, a cosy, old-fashioned term of address, similar to "sweetie" or "love".
How do you pronounce “dearie”?
“Dearie” is pronounced DEER-ree (/ˈdɪɚi/ in IPA).
How do you use “dearie” in a sentence?
Here is “dearie” used in a sentence: “Come in out of the cold, dearie.”
What part of speech is “dearie”?
“Dearie” is a noun.