Endear: meaning, definitions and examples

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endear

 

[ ɪnˈdɪər ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

affectionate

To cause to be loved or regarded with affection; make dear or precious.

Synonyms

appreciate, cherish, treasure, value.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
endear

Used when describing how someone makes themselves beloved or attractive to another person, often through their actions, personality, or behavior.

  • Her kindness and compassion endear her to everyone she meets.
  • The teacher's dedication to her students endeared her to their parents.
cherish

Used when talking about holding something or someone dear with great affection, care, and love, often implying a sense of wanting to protect and keep it close.

  • They cherish their childhood memories.
  • He cherishes every moment he spends with his family.
treasure

When you want to describe holding something very precious and valuable to oneself, often implying deep emotional value and careful preservation.

  • She treasures the locket her grandmother gave her.
  • The photo album is treasured by the whole family.
value

Used to describe an appreciation for the worth or importance of something or someone, recognizing their usefulness, quality, or importance.

  • I value your opinion in this matter.
  • They value honesty and transparency in their relationship.
appreciate

Appropriate for expressing recognition and gratitude for something or someone, often due to their qualities, efforts, or significance.

  • I really appreciate your help with the project.
  • She appreciates the beauty of classical music.

Examples of usage

  • The little girl's sweet smile endeared her to everyone she met.
  • His kindness and generosity endeared him to his colleagues.
  • Her witty sense of humor endeared her to all of her friends.
Context #2 | Verb

cute

To make dear, esteemed, or beloved.

Synonyms

captivate, charm, delight, enchant.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
endear

Use 'endear' when you want to describe someone or something becoming beloved or cherished by others. It often carries a sense of growing affection over time.

  • Her kindness and generosity endeared her to everyone in the neighborhood
  • The puppy's playful antics endeared him to the whole family
captivate

Use 'captivate' when someone or something grabs and holds the attention or interest of others, often quite intensely and immediately.

  • The magician's tricks captivated the audience
  • Her storytelling skills captivated the children
charm

Use 'charm' to describe the way someone wins others over with their attractiveness, manner, or personal qualities. This word can also refer to a pleasant or attractive feature of a place.

  • His smile was so charming that everyone felt at ease around him
  • The little café charms visitors with its cozy atmosphere
enchant

Use 'enchant' when describing a magical or spellbinding quality that holds someone's interest or admiration. This often gives a sense of otherworldly appeal.

  • The fairy tale enchanted all the listeners
  • The singer’s voice enchanted everyone in the concert hall
delight

Use 'delight' when something brings great pleasure or joy to others. It emphasizes happiness and enjoyment.

  • The surprise party delighted her
  • The children were delighted with their new toys

Examples of usage

  • The puppy's playful antics endeared it to the whole family.
  • His awkward charm endeared him to his classmates.
  • The old man's wisdom and warmth endeared him to the neighborhood.

Translations

Translations of the word "endear" in other languages:

🇵🇹 cativar

🇮🇳 मोह लेना

🇩🇪 bezaubern

🇮🇩 membuat terpesona

🇺🇦 зачаровувати

🇵🇱 urzekać

🇯🇵 魅了する (miryō suru)

🇫🇷 charmer

🇪🇸 encantar

🇹🇷 büyülemek

🇰🇷 매혹하다 (maehokhada)

🇸🇦 يسحر (yusahir)

🇨🇿 okouzlit

🇸🇰 očariť

🇨🇳 使人喜爱 (shǐ rén xǐ'ài)

🇸🇮 očarati

🇮🇸 heilla

🇰🇿 баурап алу

🇬🇪 მოხიბვლა (mokhibvla)

🇦🇿 məftun etmək

🇲🇽 encantar

Etymology

The word 'endear' originated from the Middle English word 'endere,' which means 'to make precious or valuable.' It has been in use since the 15th century and has evolved to represent the act of making someone or something beloved or cherished. The concept of endearment has been a fundamental aspect of human relationships, emphasizing the importance of affection and love in interpersonal connections.

See also: dear, dearly, dearth.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #28,913, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.