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- pronunciation:
- dir
- parts of speech:
- adjective, noun, adverb, interjection
- features:
- Word Combinations (adjective, noun), Homophone Note
part of speech: |
adjective |
inflections: |
dearer, dearest |
definition 1: |
loved or precious.
She's a dear friend whom I've known for years.- synonyms:
- beloved, cherished, loved, precious, treasured
- similar words:
- darling, favorite, intimate, old, pet, sweet
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definition 2: |
(cap.) used as a conventional greeting that opens a letter.
"Dear Mr. Flynn," the letter began. |
definition 3: |
expensive or excessive.
I paid a dear price for that carpet.- synonyms:
- costly, expensive, high, steep
- antonyms:
- cheap
- similar words:
- excessive, exorbitant, extravagant, fancy, immoderate, valuable
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definition 4: |
ardent; heartfelt.
It was her dearest wish that her son should make a success of the family business.- synonyms:
- ardent, heartfelt
- similar words:
- earnest, fervent, sincere
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related words: |
close, high, invaluable, lovable, precious, special, steep, sweet |
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part of speech: |
noun |
definition 1: |
a good or generous person.
Be a dear and clear the table for me.My Aunt Rose is such a dear; she remembers all my birthdays.- synonyms:
- sweetheart, sweetie
- similar words:
- honey
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definition 2: |
a person who is loved or thought of fondly by the person speaking (often used as an affectionate form of address).
May I help you with that, dear?My dear, you need to take a rest.- synonyms:
- beloved, darling, honey, sweetheart, sweetie, truelove
- similar words:
- jewel
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related words: |
lass, love, pet |
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part of speech: |
adverb |
inflections: |
dearer, dearest |
definition 1: |
dearly; affectionately.
He sat at her bedside and spoke dear to her.- synonyms:
- affectionately
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definition 2: |
at a great expense.
The house was bought quite dear. |
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part of speech: |
interjection |
definition: |
used to express astonishment, dismay, or the like.
Oh, dear! What did you do next?- synonyms:
- heavens, my
- similar words:
- darn
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derivations: |
dearly (adv.), dearness (n.) |
Are you looking for the word deer (an animal)? Dear and deer sound alike but have different meanings.
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