DEAR

(LOVED) [noun], [adjective] - (a person who is) loved or greatly likedShe was a very dear friend.He was very dear to me.This place is very dear to me - we came here on our honeymoon.Annie's such a dear - she's brought me breakfast in bed every morning this week.Her husband was the dearest, kindest man I've ever met.What a dear (= lovely) little kitten!Why don't you go and relax in a nice warm bath, dear?My dear Martha/Martha my dear - how lovely to see you!Dear is also used at the beginning of a letter to greet the person you are writing to.Dear Kerrie/Mum and Dad/Ms Smith/Mr Jones/Madam/Sir/CustomerSee study section: Letter writingDear is used to address someone you are being friendly to, but is not used between men.Here's your receipt, dear.See study section: Titles and forms of addressIf you do something for dear life, you do it with as much effort as possible, usually to avoid danger.As the ship began to tilt more and more we clung on for dear life.A Dear John (letter) is a letter written to end a relationship.I wouldn't talk to him just now, he got a Dear John this morning from his girlfriend.