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!

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

Dec 7, 2025 · dear (comparative dearer or more dear, superlative dearest or most dear) (Ireland, UK) High in price; expensive. quotations

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

Career experts recommend using “dear” as a salutation in formal email correspondence, such as cover letters, but only when you know the recipient’s name; the impersonal “Dear Sir or Madam” is …

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 …

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.

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?