- beloved or loved: a dear friend.
- (used in the salutation of a letter as an expression of affection or respect or as a conventional greeting): Dear Sir.
- precious in one's regard; cherished: our dearest possessions.
- heartfelt; earnest: one's dearest wish.
- high-priced; expensive: The silk dress was too dear.
- charging high prices: That shop is too dear for my budget.
- excessive; high: a dear price to pay for one's independence.
- difficult to get; scarce.
- worthy; honorable.
- a person who is good, kind, or generous: You're a dear to help me with the work.
- a beloved one.
- an affectionate or familiar term of address, as to a child or romantic partner (sometimes offensive when used to a stranger, subordinate, etc.)
- dearly; fondly.
- at a high price: That painting cost me dear.
- (used as an exclamation of surprise, distress, etc.): Oh dear, what a disappointment! Dear me! What's all that noise?
- hard; grievous.
- beloved; precious
- used in conventional forms of address preceding a title or name, as in Dear Sir or my dear Mr Smith
- important; close
- highly priced
- charging high prices
- appealing or pretty
- urgently or with extreme vigour or desperation
- used in exclamations of surprise or dismay, such as Oh dear! and dear me!
- someone regarded with affection and tenderness; darling
- dearly
