Meaning of dear | Babel Free

Definitions

1. Severe, or severely affected; sore.
2. High in price; expensive.
   Ireland, UK
3. dear (loved)
4. Fierce.
   obsolete
5. Loved; lovable.
6. expensive
7. Lovely; kind.
8. costly
9. Loving, affectionate, heartfelt
10. Precious to or greatly valued by someone.
11. A formal way to start (possibly after my) addressing somebody at the beginning of a letter, memo etc.
12. A formal way to start (often after my) addressing somebody one likes or regards kindly.
13. An ironic way to start (often after my) addressing an inferior or someone one dislikes.
14. Noble.
    obsolete

Equivalents

Examples

“The dearer the jewel, the greater the love⟳ expressed.”

“There's more depends on this than on the value. The dearest ring⟳ in Venice will I give⟳ you, And find⟳ it out by proclamation: Only for this, I pray you, pardon me.”

“This water is sold for 50 cents per ton, which is not dear under the circumstances.”

“Every summer we can rent⟳ a cottage in the Isle of Wight, if it's not too dear.”

“"Yes, children dear, wait⟳ a bit till it turns itself," she answered - she ought to have⟳ said "till I turn⟳ it"[.]”

“So this was my future home, I thought![…]Backed by towering hills, the but faintly discernible purple line of the French boundary off to the southwest, a sky of palest Gobelin flecked with fat, fleecy little clouds, it in truth looked a dear little city; the city of one's dreams.”

“"We shall have⟳ to put⟳ up with whitebait. And, of course, a dear little chicken with peas and roast potatoes."”

“"I've never met the kind of man I mean⟳." "Tell⟳ me about him. What does he look⟳ like⟳?" "Oh, he might look⟳ very much like⟳ you." "How dear of you to say⟳ that!"”

“Such dear embrace tenderly comforts even in this dear sorrow.”

“The dearer the giver, the dearer the trinket he brings!”

“[…] dear as sacramental wine To dying lips is all he said […].”

“Dear Sir/Madam/Miss⟳, please⟳ notice⟳ our offices will be closed during the following bank holidays:[…].”

“Dearest Joseph/son:...”

“My dear friend, I feel⟳ better as soon as you come⟳ sit⟳ beside my sickbed!”

““A very welcome⟳, kind, useful present⟳, that means to the parish. By the way, Hopkins, let⟳ this go no further. We don't want⟳ the tale running round that a rich person has arrived. Churchill, my dear fellow, we have⟳ such greedy sharks, and wolves in lamb's clothing.[…]””

“My dear man, you ought to think⟳ twice about who you're trying to blackmail.”

“The Christens found the heathens dear, as the lion doth the bear⟳.”

CEFR level