noun
dearie
DEER-ree
noun
1
An affectionate, often slightly old-fashioned term of address for someone dear, like "sweetie".
"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".
When to use it
Informal and a bit dated; often used by older speakers, sometimes with a hint of condescension in modern use.
Word Forms
dearies plural
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Etymology
From dear plus the diminutive suffix -ie.