Dear

Quick meaning: Dear is an adjective meaning (Ireland, UK, NZ (dated)) High in price; expensive.

Meaning

(Ireland, UK, NZ (dated)) High in price; expensive.

More Meanings

1. Loved; lovable.
2. Lovely; kind.
3. Loving, affectionate, heartfelt
4. Precious to or greatly valued by someone.
5. A formal way to start (possibly after my) addressing somebody at the beginning of a letter, memo etc.
6. A formal way to start (often after my) addressing somebody one likes or regards kindly.
7. An ironic way to start (often after my) addressing an inferior or someone one dislikes.

Example Sentences

The dearer the jewel, the greater the love expressed.

Every summer we can rent a cottage in the Isle of Wight, if it's not too dear.

This water is sold for 50 cents per ton, which is not dear under the circumstances.

"We shall have to put up with whitebait. And, of course, a dear little chicken with peas and roast potatoes."

Word Forms

• dearer
• dearest
• dears
• dearing
• deared

Synonyms for dear

Depending on context, synonyms include darling, costly, lickpenny, spenny, big-ticket, chargeful.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include pricey, pricy, costly, expensive, heartfelt, affectionately.

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