Dear — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective adverb noun interjection /ˈdir/

Meaning & Definition of Dear

Dear (adjective)

  1. highly valued, precious —often used in a salutation
  2. affectionate, fond
  3. high or exorbitant in price, expensive
  4. severe, sore

Dear (adverb)

  1. dearly
  2. dearly

Dear (noun)

  1. a loved one, sweetheart
  2. a lovable person

Dear (interjection)

  1. —used especially to express annoyance or dismay

Dear (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. commanding a large price

    "caviar has always been among the dearest of foods"

    similar: big-ticket, costly, expensive, extravagant, high, high-end, high-ticket, precious, premium, priceless, pricey, spendy (chiefly Northwest), ultraexpensive, valuable
    related: exorbitant, overpriced, prohibitive, sky-high, steep, stiff, unaffordable, uneconomic, unreasonable, inestimable, invaluable, deluxe, luxurious, sumptuous
    opposite: cheap, inexpensive
    near: moderate, reasonable, valueless, worthless, discounted

  2. granted special treatment or attention

    "spared no expense when caring for and feeding her dear little dog"

    similar: beloved, cherished, darling, fair-haired, favored, favorite, fond, loved, pet, precious, special, sweet, white-headed
    related: admired, adored, appreciated, esteemed, relished, revered, prized, treasured, preferred
    opposite: unbeloved
    near: abhorred, abominated, despised, detested, disdained, disfavored, disliked, execrated, hated, loathed, unfavorite, abandoned, forgotten, ignored, alienated, estranged

  3. having qualities that tend to make one loved

    "a dear friend that I would do anything for"

    similar: adorable, darling, disarming, endearing, lovable, lovesome, precious, sweet, winning, winsome
    related: embraceable, kissable, beloved, cherished, favored, favorite, loved, treasured, attractive, beautiful, desirable, lovely, alluring, appealing, captivating, charming, enchanting, engaging, entrancing, fascinating, fetching, admirable, likable, reputable, respectable, affable, agreeable, cheerful, cordial, friendly, genial, good-natured, good-tempered, gracious, kind, nice, pleasant, delightful, pleasing, well-disposed
    opposite: abhorrent, abominable, detestable, hateful, loathsome, odious, unlovable
    near: unloved, contemptible, disagreeable, disgusting, distasteful, heinous, horrible, lousy, nasty, offensive, unlikable, unpleasant, wretched, frightful, grotesque, hideous, ill-favored, monstrous, ogreish, repellent, repugnant, repulsive, ugly, unattractive, unsightly, vile, appalling, awful, dreadful, foul, horrendous, horrid, nauseating, noisome, obnoxious, obscene, revolting, scandalous, shocking, sickening

Dear (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a person with whom one is in love

    "I love you, dear"

    similar: beloved, darling, flame, hon, honey, love, squeeze (slang), sweet, sweetheart, sweetie, sweetie pie, truelove
    related: beau, boy, boyfriend, fellow, man, swain, gal, girl, girlfriend, inamorata, ladylove, lass, mistress, tootsie, amour, lover, paramour, doll, duck(s) (chiefly British), pet, date, escort, steady, admirer, gallant, suitor, wooer, groom, husband, bride, wife, significant other, fiancé, intended, crush, heartthrob

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Dear

The most common words with a similar meaning to Dear:

Chiefly Northwest: spendy
Slang: squeeze
big-ticket, costly, expensive, extravagant, high, high-end, high-ticket, precious, premium, priceless, pricey, ultraexpensive, valuable, beloved, cherished, darling, fair-haired, favored, favorite, fond, loved, pet, special, sweet, white-headed, adorable, disarming, endearing, lovable, lovesome, winning, winsome, flame, hon, honey, love, sweetheart, sweetie, sweetie pie, truelove

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Dear

Words with the opposite meaning of Dear:

cheap, inexpensive, unbeloved, abhorrent, abominable, detestable, hateful, loathsome, odious, unlovable

Related Words for Dear

exorbitant, overpriced, prohibitive, sky-high, steep, stiff, unaffordable, uneconomic, unreasonable, inestimable, invaluable, deluxe, luxurious, sumptuous, admired, adored, appreciated, esteemed, relished, revered, prized, treasured, preferred, embraceable, kissable, attractive, beautiful, desirable, lovely, alluring

Near Antonyms of Dear

moderate, reasonable, valueless, worthless, discounted, abhorred, abominated, despised, detested, disdained, disfavored, disliked, execrated, hated, loathed, unfavorite, abandoned, forgotten, ignored, alienated, estranged, unloved, contemptible, disagreeable, disgusting, distasteful, heinous, horrible, lousy, nasty

Word Forms of Dear

Derived words: dearness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Dear

Middle English dere, from Old English dēore; akin to Old High German tiuri distinguished, costly

First known use: before 12th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Dear

  • Topics: Greetings & Introductions

Words & Phrases Containing Dear

Dear John, for dear life, near and dear, close/dear/near to one's heart, cost (someone) dearly/dear

Frequently Asked Questions about Dear

What does "Dear" mean?

"Dear" means highly valued, precious —often used in a salutation. As an an adjective, an adverb, a noun and an interjection, it is defined as: highly valued, precious —often used in a salutation. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Dear"?

Other words for "Dear" include big-ticket, costly, expensive, extravagant, high, high-end, high-ticket and precious. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Dear" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Dear"?

There are 134 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Dear". Common alternatives include big-ticket, costly, expensive, extravagant, high, high-end, high-ticket, precious, premium and priceless.

What is the opposite of "Dear"?

Antonyms of "Dear" include cheap, inexpensive, unbeloved, abhorrent, abominable, detestable, hateful and loathsome. Near antonyms include moderate, reasonable, valueless and worthless.

How do you use "Dear" in a sentence?

Examples of "Dear" in a sentence: "caviar has always been among the dearest of foods"; "spared no expense when caring for and feeding her dear little dog"; "a dear friend that I would do anything for".

Is "Dear" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Dear" can be used as an adjective, an adverb, a noun and an interjection, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Dear"?

"Dear" is pronounced /ˈdir/.

What is the origin of the word "Dear"?

"Dear" comes from Middle English dere, from Old English dēore; akin to Old High German tiuri distinguished, costly. First known use: before 12th century.