What does "dear" mean?
A very kind, loving person.
Dear
/dɪə/ adj, adv, intj, name, noun, verb
adj, adv, intj, name, noun, verb ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A very kind, loving person.
- Grammar: dear is listed as adj, adv, intj, name, noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: beloved, costly, pricey, address term.
- Useful contrasts: affordable, calm, composure.
- Usage evidence: Dear woman, why do you involve me? Jesus replied.
How to use "dear"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "dear" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "dear" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "dear" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "dear" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "dear" is acting as adj, adv, intj, name, noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "beloved" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "dear", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A very kind, loving person.
"My little cousin is such a dear, always drawing me pictures."
- 2 a beloved person; used as terms of endearment wordnet
- 3 A beloved person.
- 4 a sweet innocent mild-mannered person (especially a child) wordnet
- 5 An affectionate, familiar term of address, such as used between husband and wife.
"Pass me the salt, would you dear?"
Show 1 more definition
- 6 An elderly person, especially a woman.
Verb
- 1 To endear. obsolete
"Nor should a Sonne his Sire loue for reward, But for he is his Sire, in nature dear’d."
Adjective
- 1 High in price; expensive. Ireland, UK
"The dearer the jewel, the greater the love expressed."
- 2 Severe, or severely affected; sore.
- 3 Loved; lovable.
""Yes, children dear, wait a bit till it turns itself," she answered - she ought to have said "till I turn it"[.]"
- 4 Fierce. obsolete
"The Christens found the heathens dear, as the lion doth the bear."
- 5 Lovely; kind.
""I've never met the kind of man I mean." "Tell me about him. What does he look like?" "Oh, he might look very much like you." "How dear of you to say that!""
Show 6 more definitions
- 6 Loving, affectionate, heartfelt
"Such dear embrace tenderly comforts even in this dear sorrow."
- 7 Precious to or greatly valued by someone.
"The dearer the giver, the dearer the trinket he brings!"
- 8 A formal way to start (possibly after my) addressing somebody at the beginning of a letter, memo etc.
"Dear Sir/Madam/Miss, please notice our offices will be closed during the following bank holidays:[…]."
- 9 A formal way to start (often after my) addressing somebody one likes or regards kindly.
"My dear friend, I feel better as soon as you come sit beside my sickbed!"
- 10 An ironic way to start (often after my) addressing an inferior or someone one dislikes.
"My dear man, you ought to think twice about who you're trying to blackmail."
- 11 Noble. obsolete
Adjective
- 1 with or in a close or intimate relationship wordnet
- 2 having a high price wordnet
- 3 dearly loved wordnet
- 4 sincerely earnest wordnet
Adverb
- 1 Dearly; at a high price.
"If thou attempt it, it will cost thee dear."
Adverb
- 1 at a great cost wordnet
- 2 with affection wordnet
Intj
- 1 Indicating surprise, pity, or disapproval.
"Dear, dear! Whatever were they thinking?"
Proper Noun
- 1 A surname.
Antonyms
Example
"Dear woman, why do you involve me? Jesus replied."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "dear"?
Common synonyms include: beloved, costly, pricey, address term, admired, adorable.
How do you use "dear" in a sentence?
Dear woman, why do you involve me? Jesus replied.
How do you pronounce "dear"?
Pronounced /dɪə/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English dere, from Old English dīere (“of great value or excellence, expensive, beloved”), from Proto-West Germanic *diurī, from Proto-Germanic *diurijaz (“dear, precious, expensive”). Cognate with Scots dere, deir (“of great value or worth, highly valued, precious, beloved”), Saterland Frisian djuur (“precious, dear, costly, expensive”), Dutch duur (“costly, precious”), German teuer (“costly, precious”), German Low German düür, Danish dyr (“expensive”), Swedish dyr (“expensive”), Norwegian dyr (“expensive”), Icelandic dýr (“expensive”), Yiddish טייַער (tayer, “precious, expensive”).
Etymology 2
From Middle English dere (“fierce, severe, hard, deadly”), from Old English dēor, dȳr (“brave, bold; severe, dire, vehement”), from Proto-Germanic *deuzaz. Cognate with the above.
Etymology 3
English surname, related to the adjective dear and noun deer (from Old English deor (“wild animal”), used in many senses).