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dear

dear [ deer ]


adjective  (comparative dear·er, superlative dear·est)
Definition:
 
1. beloved: loved or especially valued
a dear friend

2. costly: high in price

3. charging a lot: charging high prices



noun  (plural dears)
Definition:
 
1. somebody beloved: somebody who is loved or valued, especially for being kind or thoughtful

2. term of endearment: used as an affectionate term of address



interjection 
Definition:
 
expresses shock: used to express shock or consternation
Oh dear!



adverb 
Definition:
 
dearly: at a high cost
This will cost you dear.

[ Old English deore< Germanic]

dear·ness noun

Spelling Note

Do not confuse the spelling of dear and deer, which sound similar. The word dear as a noun denotes somebody loved. The noun deer denotes a widespread animal notable for the male's branched antlers.

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