dear
Translation
dear, expensive, beloved
Examples
She is a very dear friend.
She is a very dear friend.
Vegetables are dear in winter.
Vegetables are dear in winter.
Dear Mom, I miss you.
Dear Mum, I miss you.
Oh dear! What happened?
Oh dear! What happened?
Grammar Patterns
dear ((sb.)) loved or valued very much She is a very dear friend.
((be)) dear to be expensive Vegetables are dear in winter.
Dear ((sb.)), used to begin a letter Dear Mum, I miss you.
Similar Words
Synonyms: beloved, precious, expensive; Antonyms: cheap, hated
Etymology
From Old English 'dēore', meaning 'precious, valuable, costly, beloved'.
Memory Tips
A 'deer' is a 'dear' animal to many. Also, things that are precious to you are 'dear', and often 'dear' in price.