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

DEAR definition: 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!

Apr 23, 2026 · 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

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

At a dear rate; at a high price. An exclamation indicating surprise, pity, or other emotion: used absolutely or in connection with oh or me: as, oh dear ! I am so tired; dear me ! where have you been? To make …

As a written form of address — such as " Dear Mr. So-and-so" — dear is generally a polite but impersonal standard greeting. Dear can sometimes mean expensive, as in "The cost of food is so …

Dear is an adjective commonly used as a salutation in written or formal correspondence to address the recipient in a warm, friendly, or respectful manner, often indicating a level of familiarity or close …

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.