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.

Jan 2, 2026 · Adjective dear (comparative dearer or more dear, superlative dearest or most dear) (Ireland, UK) High in price; expensive.

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!

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

(used in the salutation of a letter as an expression of affection or respect or as a conventional greeting): Dear Sir. precious in one's regard; cherished: our dearest possessions.

Dear definition: Highly esteemed or regarded. Used in direct address, especially in salutations.

(used as an exclamation of surprise, distress, etc.). Oh dear, what a disappointment! Dear me! What's all that noise?

You use dear to describe someone or something that you feel affection for. Mrs Cavendish is a dear friend of mine. At last I am back at my dear little desk.

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."