Cheap vs. Dear — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 30, 2023
Cheap implies low cost or quality, while dear suggests high cost or value, often used to express affection or importance.
Difference Between Cheap and Dear
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Cheap signifies low cost or inexpensive items. Dear, conversely, implies high cost or expensive items. While cheap is often associated with affordability, dear is linked to higher value or expense.
Cheap can imply lower quality or lesser value. Dear, on the other hand, often connotes higher quality or cherished worth. Cheap items may be seen as less durable, while dear items are perceived as valuable.
Cheap lacks an emotional connotation. Dear, in contrast, can express affection or endearment. While cheap is purely economic, dear can denote emotional value or importance.
The term cheap is used to describe cost-effectiveness or bargain items. Dear is used to denote high-priced items or affectionate relationships. Cheap focuses on monetary aspects, whereas dear can have a personal or emotional aspect.
In a market context, cheap refers to low-priced goods. In personal contexts, dear is used to address loved ones or express high regard. Cheap is often used in commerce, while dear has a broader emotional and relational usage.
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Comparison Chart
Cost Implication
Low cost
High cost
Quality Perception
Often lower quality
Implies higher quality
Emotional Connotation
None
Expresses affection
Usage in Language
Economic, cost-related
Price, affection, importance
Contextual Application
Common in commerce
Broad, including personal relations
Compare with Definitions
Cheap
Cheap implies inexpensive.
This restaurant offers cheap meals.
Dear
Dear denotes being cherished.
He is a dear friend.
Cheap
Low in price, especially in relation to similar items or services
Local buses were reliable and cheap
Dear
Dear implies valuable.
Such dear memories are irreplaceable.
Cheap
Of little worth because achieved in a discreditable way requiring little effort
Her moment of cheap triumph
Dear
Regarded with deep affection
He is very dear to me
A dear friend
Cheap
At or for a low price
A house that was going cheap because of the war
Dear
Expensive
Five pounds—that's a bit dear!
Cheap
Relatively low in cost; inexpensive or comparatively inexpensive.
Dear
Used as an affectionate or friendly form of address
Don't you worry, dear
Cheap
Charging low prices
A cheap restaurant.
Dear
At a high cost
They buy property cheaply and sell dear
Cheap
Obtainable at a low rate of interest. Used especially of money.
Dear
Used in expressions of surprise, dismay, or sympathy
Oh dear, I've upset you
Cheap
Devalued, as in buying power
Cheap dollars.
Dear
Loved and cherished
My dearest friend.
Cheap
Achieved with little effort
A cheap victory.
Cheap laughs.
Dear
Greatly valued; precious
Lost everything dear to them.
Cheap
Of or considered of small value
In wartime, when life was cheap.
Dear
Highly esteemed or regarded. Used in direct address, especially in salutations
Dear Lee Dawson.
Cheap
Of poor quality; inferior
A cheap toy.
Dear
High-priced; expensive.
Cheap
Worthy of no respect; vulgar or contemptible
A cheap gangster.
Dear
Charging high prices.
Cheap
Stingy; miserly.
Dear
Earnest; ardent
"This good man was a dear lover and constant practicer of angling" (Izaak Walton).
Cheap
Inexpensively
Got the new car cheap.
Dear
(Obsolete) Noble; worthy.
Cheap
(obsolete) Trade; traffic; chaffer; chaffering.
Dear
Heartfelt
It is my dearest wish.
Cheap
(obsolete) A market; marketplace.
Dear
Severe; grievous; sore
Our dearest need.
Cheap
Price.
Dear
A person who is greatly loved. Often used as a form of address.
Cheap
(obsolete) A low price; a bargain.
Dear
An endearing, lovable, or kind person
What a dear she is!.
Cheap
Cheapness; lowness of price; abundance of supply. en
Dear
With fondness; affectionately.
Cheap
Low and/or reduced in price.
Dear
At a high cost
Sold their wares dear.
Cheap
Of poor quality.
Dear
Used as a polite exclamation, chiefly of surprise or distress
Oh dear.
Dear me.
Cheap
Of little worth.
Dear
(UK) High in price; expensive.
The dearer the jewel, the greater the love expressed.
Cheap
Underhand or unfair.
The cheap trick of hiding deadly lava under pushable blocks
Dear
Loved; lovable.
Cheap
Stingy; mean; excessively frugal.
Insurance is expensive, but don't be so cheap that you risk losing your home because of a fire.
Dear
Lovely; kind.
Cheap
(finance) Trading at a price level which is low relative to historical trends, a similar asset, or (for derivatives) a theoretical value.
The ETF is trading cheap to NAV right now; we can arb this by buying the ETF and selling the underlying constituents.
Dear
Loving, affectionate, heartfelt
Such dear embrace tenderly comforts even in this dear sorrow.
Cheap
To trade; traffic; bargain; chaffer; ask the price of goods; cheapen goods.
Dear
Precious to or greatly valued by someone.
The dearer the giver, the dearer the trinket he brings!
Cheap
To bargain for; chaffer for; ask the price of; offer a price for; cheapen.
Dear
A formal way to start (possibly after my) addressing somebody at the beginning of a letter, memo etc.
Dear Sir/Madam/Miss, please notice our offices will be closed during the following bank holidays:nb....
Cheap
To buy; purchase.
Dear
A formal way to start (often after my) addressing somebody one likes or regards kindly.
My dear friend, I feel better as soon as you come sit beside my sickbed!
Cheap
To sell.
Dear
An ironic way to start (often after my) addressing an inferior.
My dear boy, if your grades don't pick up I won't bounce you on, but over my knee!
Cheap
Cheaply.
Dear
(obsolete) Noble.
Cheap
A bargain; a purchase; cheapness.
The sack that thou hast drunk me would have bought me lights as good cheap at the dearest chandler's in Europe.
Dear
Severe, or severely affected; sore.
Cheap
Having a low price in market; of small cost or price, as compared with the usual price or the real value.
Where there are a great sellers to a few buyers, there the thing to be sold will be cheap.
Dear
(obsolete) Fierce.
The Christens found the heathens dear, as the lion doth the bear.
Cheap
Of comparatively small value; common; mean.
You grow cheap in every subject's eye.
Dear
A very kind, loving person.
My little cousin is such a dear, always drawing me pictures.
Cheap
Cheaply.
Dear
A beloved person.
Cheap
To buy; to bargain.
Dear
An affectionate, familiar term of address, such as used between husband and wife.
Pass me the salt, would you dear?
Cheap
Relatively low in price or charging low prices;
It would have been cheap at twice the price
Inexpensive family restaurants
Dear
An elderly person, especially a woman.
Cheap
Tastelessly showy;
A flash car
A flashy ring
Garish colors
A gaudy costume
Loud sport shirts
A meretricious yet stylish book
Tawdry ornaments
Dear
(obsolete) To endear.
Cheap
Of very poor quality
Dear
Dearly; at a high price.
Cheap
Embarrassingly stingy
Dear
(dated) Indicating surprise, pity, or disapproval.
Dear, dear! Whatever were they thinking?
Cheap
Cheap means low in price.
I bought a cheap watch.
Dear
Bearing a high price; high-priced; costly; expensive.
The cheapest of us is ten groats too dear.
Cheap
Cheap denotes a bargain deal.
They sell cheap clothes here.
Dear
Marked by scarcity or dearth, and exorbitance of price; as, a dear year.
Cheap
Cheap suggests cost-effectiveness.
We chose a cheap travel package.
Dear
Highly valued; greatly beloved; cherished; precious.
Neither count I my life dear unto myself.
And the last joy was dearer than the rest.
Dear as remember'd kisses after death.
Cheap
Cheap can indicate low quality.
Beware of cheap imitations.
Dear
Hence, close to the heart; heartfelt; present in mind; engaging the attention.
[I'll] leave you to attend him: some dear causeWill in concealment wrap me up awhile.
His dearest wish was to escape from the bustle and glitter of Whitehall.
Dear
Of disagreeable things and antipathies.
In our dear peril.
Would I had met my dearest foe in heavenOr ever I had seen that day.
Dear
A dear one; lover; sweetheart.
That kiss I carried from thee, dear.
Dear
Dearly; at a high price.
If thou attempt it, it will cost thee dear.
Dear
To endear.
Dear
A beloved person; used as terms of endearment
Dear
A sweet innocent mild-mannered person (especially a child)
Dear
Dearly loved
Dear
With or in a close or intimate relationship;
A good friend
My sisters and brothers are near and dear
Dear
Earnest;
One's dearest wish
Devout wishes for their success
Heartfelt condolences
Dear
Having a high price;
Costly jewelry
High-priced merchandise
Much too dear for my pocketbook
A pricey restaurant
Dear
With affection;
She loved him dearly
He treats her affectionately
Dear
At a great cost;
He paid dearly for the food
This cost him dear
Dear
Dear means expensive.
That’s a dear piece of jewelry.
Dear
Dear suggests endearment.
My dear, I missed you.
Dear
Dear is an affectionate term.
Hello, dear, how was your day?
Common Curiosities
Can dear refer to something other than high cost?
Yes, dear also expresses affection or emotional importance.
Can the term dear be used in formal communication?
Yes, but its usage depends on context and relationship.
Is cheap only related to monetary value?
Primarily, yes. Cheap typically relates to low monetary value.
Is it offensive to call something cheap?
It can be, especially if it implies poor quality.
Can something be cheap and dear at the same time?
Rarely, as cheap often means low cost, while dear implies high cost or emotional value.
Can dear be used to describe non-material things?
Yes, like dear memories or dear friends.
Is cheap always negative?
Not necessarily. Cheap can be positive in the context of bargains or cost-effectiveness.
Can dear be used sarcastically?
Yes, it can be used sarcastically in certain contexts.
Does dear always imply high monetary cost?
Not always; it can also express emotional value.
Is cheap a subjective term?
Yes, perceptions of what is cheap can vary greatly.
How does the term dear function in addressing people?
As a term of endearment or affection.
Does cheap always mean poor quality?
Not always. Cheap can simply mean low in price.
Can the term cheap be empowering?
In the context of smart or frugal purchases, it can be.
Is cheap used in formal contexts?
It's less common in formal settings due to possible negative connotations.
How versatile is the usage of dear?
Quite versatile, as it applies to cost, relationships, and affection.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
