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Dear: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ’Œ
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dear

 

[ dษชษ™r ]

Adjective / Adverb / Noun
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Adjective

formal

regarded with deep affection; cherished by someone

Synonyms

beloved, darling, precious

Examples of usage

  • my dear friend
  • dear to my heart
Context #2 | Adverb

used in salutations at the beginning of a letter

used as a polite way of starting a letter to someone you know well

Synonyms

beloved, dearly, heartily

Examples of usage

  • Dear John,
  • Dear Mrs. Smith,
Context #3 | Noun

used as a polite way of addressing someone in a letter

a way of starting a letter to someone you know well

Synonyms

beloved, darling, sweetheart

Examples of usage

  • Yours sincerely, John
  • Best regards, Mary

Translations

Translations of the word "dear" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น querido

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคชเฅเคฐเคฟเคฏ (priya)

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช lieb

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ tercinta

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะดะพั€ะพะณะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ drogi

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ่ฆชๆ„›ใชใ‚‹ (shinnainaru)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท cher

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ querido

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท sevgili

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์นœ์• ํ•˜๋Š” (chin-aehaneun)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุนุฒูŠุฒ (aziz)

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ drahรฝ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ drahรฝ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ไบฒ็ˆฑ็š„ (qฤซn'ร i de)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ dragi

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ kรฆri

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ า›ั‹ะผะฑะฐั‚ (qymbat)

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒซแƒ•แƒ˜แƒ แƒคแƒแƒกแƒ (dzvirpaso)

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ษ™ziz

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ querido

Etymology

The word 'dear' originated from the Old English word 'deore', meaning 'precious, valuable, costly'. Over time, the meaning of 'dear' has evolved to signify affection and warmth towards someone or something. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to express endearment and closeness.

See also: dearly, dearth, endear.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,032, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.