dear

  • 31dear — dear1 [ dır ] adjective *** ▸ 1 at beginning of letter ▸ 2 loved/liked very much ▸ 3 expensive ▸ 4 used for speaking to someone ▸ 5 nice ▸ + PHRASES 1. ) Dear used in front of someone s name at the beginning of a letter to them: Dear Diana, I… …

    Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • 32dear — dear1 S1 [dıə US dır] interjection Oh dear used to show that you are surprised, upset, or annoyed because something bad has happened ▪ Oh dear, I ve broken the lamp. ▪ I think I m getting a cold. Oh dear! dear 2 dear2 S2 n 1.) used when speaking… …

    Dictionary of contemporary English

  • 33dear — I UK [dɪə(r)] / US [dɪr] adjective Word forms dear : adjective dear comparative dearer superlative dearest *** 1) Dear used in front of someone s name at the beginning of a letter to them Dear Diana, I hope you re feeling better now. 2) loved or… …

    English dictionary

  • 34dear — I. /dɪə / (say dear) adjective 1. beloved or loved: a dear friend of mine. 2. (in the salutation of a letter) highly esteemed: Dear Sirs. 3. precious in one s regard: dear to his heart. 4. high priced; expensive. 5. charging high prices. 6. high; …

  • 35dear — dear1 dearly, adv. dearness, n. /dear/, adj., dearer, dearest, n., adv., interj. adj. 1. beloved or loved: a dear friend. 2. (used in the salutation of a letter as an expression of affection or respect or as a conventional greeting): Dear Sir …

    Universalium

  • 36dear — adj., n., adv., & int. adj. 1 a beloved or much esteemed. b as a merely polite or ironic form (my dear man). 2 used as a formula of address, esp. at the beginning of letters (Dear Sir). 3 (often foll. by to) precious; much cherished. 4 (usu. in… …

    Useful english dictionary

  • 37dear*/*/*/ — [dɪə] adj I 1) Dear used in front of someone s name or title at the beginning of a letter to them Dear Diana, I hope you re feeling better now.[/ex] Dear Sir or Madam[/ex] 2) loved, or liked very much a dear friend[/ex] 3) expensive Their… …

    Dictionary for writing and speaking English

  • 38dear — I. adjective Etymology: Middle English dere, from Old English dēor Date: before 12th century severe, sore < in our dear peril Shakespeare > II. adjective Etymology: Middle English dere, from Old English dēore; akin to Old High German tiuri …

    New Collegiate Dictionary

  • 39dear — 1. adjective 1) a dear friend Syn: beloved, loved, adored, cherished, precious; esteemed, respected, worshiped; close, intimate, bosom, best Ant: hated 2) …

    Thesaurus of popular words

  • 40dear — 1. adjective 1) a dear friend Syn: beloved, precious, close, intimate, bosom 2) her pictures were too dear to part with Syn: precious, treasured, valued, prized, cherished, sp …

    Synonyms and antonyms dictionary