The meaning of DEAR is highly valued : precious —often used in a salutation. How to use dear in a sentence.

DEAR meaning: 1. loved or liked very much: 2. used at the beginning of a letter to greet the person you are…. Learn more.

1. A person who is greatly loved. Often used as a form of address. 2. An endearing, lovable, or kind person: What a dear she is!

Dec 7, 2025 · From Middle English dere, from Old English dīere (“of great value or excellence, expensive, beloved”), from Proto-West Germanic *diurī, from Proto-Germanic *diurijaz (“dear, …

used in conventional forms of address preceding a title or name, as in Dear Sir or my dear Mr Smith (postpositive) followed by to: important; close: a wish dear to her heart

Definition of dear adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

a person who is good, kind, or generous. You're a dear to help me with the work. a beloved one. (sometimes initial capital letter) an affectionate or familiar term of address, as to a child or romantic …

Dear is written at the beginning of a letter or email, followed by the name or title of the person you are writing to. Dear Peter, I have been thinking about you so much during the past few days.

DEAR meaning: 1 : loved or valued very much often + to; 2 : used in writing to address someone

If someone or something is dear to you, it means you hold them or it very close to your heart, as in "My country is very dear to me" or "She is a dear friend."