# dear

/ˈdɪɹ/ (US) · /dˈiə/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dear
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. starting a letter

adjective · CEFR A1 · Formal

a polite way to start a letter or email before the person's name.

For teachers: a conventional formula of address used at the beginning of letters or formal communications.

- Dear Mr. Smith, I am writing to thank you for your help.
- Dear Professor Higgins, I would like to formally request an extension on my final thesis submission.

Usage: Always placed before the recipient's name or title.

### 2. loved or important

adjective · CEFR A2

someone or something that you love or care about very much.

For teachers: regarded with deep affection; cherished or highly valued.

- She lost a very dear friend in the accident last year.
- The old photograph was dear to him, representing the only surviving image of his childhood home before the war.

Usage: Often follows 'to' when describing the relationship, such as 'dear to me'.

### 3. expensive

adjective · CEFR B2 · British English

costing a lot of money.

For teachers: high in price; expensive. Primarily used in British and Irish English.

- Everything in that shop is much too dear for my budget.
- While the quality of the fabric is undeniable, the tailor's services are becoming increasingly dear for the average customer.

### 4. kind or loved person

noun · CEFR B1 · Informal

a kind person, or a name you call someone you love.

For teachers: an affectionate or familiar term of address for a person; also used to describe a helpful or kind individual.

- Could you help me with these bags, there's a dear?
- The neighbor is such a dear; she always brings over extra vegetables from her garden during the harvest season.

### 5. expressing surprise or worry

interjection · CEFR A2

a word used to show you are surprised, sorry, or a little annoyed.

For teachers: an exclamation used to express surprise, distress, sympathy, or preoccupation.

- Oh dear, I think I've forgotten my keys in the car.
- Dear me, the weather has certainly taken a turn for the worse since we arrived at the coast.

Usage: Commonly used in the phrases 'Oh dear' or 'Dear me'.

## Examples

- Come here, my dear, and tell me what happened.
- She is such a dear to help us with the move this weekend.
- Though they had been separated by distance for decades, he remained her oldest dear, the one person she trusted with her most private thoughts.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.