/ dɪə(r); NAmE dɪr/ adjective , exclamation , noun , adverb
■ adjective ( dear·er , dear·est )
1.
dear (to sb) loved by or important to sb :
He's one of my dearest friends.
Her daughter is very dear to her.
2.
Dear used at the beginning of a letter before the name or title of the person that you are writing to :
Dear Sir or Madam
Dear Mrs Jones
3.
[ not usually before noun ] ( BrE ) expensive; costing a lot of money :
Everything's so dear now, isn't it?
➡ note at expensive
OPP cheap
4.
dear old / little ... ( BrE ) used to describe sb in a way that shows affection :
Dear old Sue! I knew she'd help.
Their baby's a dear little thing.
•
IDIOMS
- hold sb/sth dear
—more at heart , life , near adjective
■ exclamation
used in expressions that show that you are surprised, upset, annoyed or worried :
Oh dear ! I think I've lost my purse!
Oh dear ! What a shame.
Dear me ! What a mess!
Dear oh dear ! What are you going to do now?
■ noun
1.
( BrE , informal ) a kind person :
Isn't he a dear?
Be a dear and fetch me my coat.
2.
used when speaking to sb you love :
Would you like a drink, dear?
Come here, my dear.
3.
used when speaking to sb in a friendly way, for example by an older person to a young person or a child :
What's your name, dear?
—compare duck
■ adverb
( BrE ) at a high price :
to buy cheap and sell dear
•
IDIOMS
see cost verb
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English dēore , of Germanic origin; related to Dutch dier beloved, also to Dutch duur and German teuer expensive.