Dear vs. Dearest

Dearadjective

High in price; expensive.

‘The dearer the jewel, the greater the love expressed.’;

Dearestnoun

A beloved person; a term of endearment.

Dearadjective

Loved; lovable.

Dearestnoun

a beloved person; used as terms of endearment

Dearadjective

Loving, affectionate, heartfelt

‘Such dear embrace tenderly comforts even in this dear sorrow.’;

Dearestadjective

most loved or cherished

‘one of my dearest friends’;

Dearadjective

Precious to or greatly valued by someone.

‘The dearer the giver, the dearer the trinket he brings!’;

Dearestadjective

most expensive

‘beer is dearest in Germany’;

Dearadjective

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....’;

Dearestnoun

used as an affectionate form of address

‘you make me so happy, dearest’;

Dearadjective

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!’;

Dearadjective

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!’;

Dearadjective

(obsolete) Noble.

Dearadjective

Severe, or severely affected; sore.

Dearadjective

(obsolete) Fierce.

‘The Christens found the heathens dear, as the lion doth the bear.’;

Dearnoun

A very kind, loving person.

‘My cousin is such a dear, always drawing me pictures.’;

Dearnoun

A beloved person

Dearverb

(obsolete) To endear.

Dearadverb

dearly; at a high price

Dearadjective

Bearing a high price; high-priced; costly; expensive.

‘The cheapest of us is ten groats too dear.’;

Dearadjective

Marked by scarcity or dearth, and exorbitance of price; as, a dear year.

Dearadjective

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.’;

Dearadjective

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.’;

Dearadjective

Of disagreeable things and antipathies.

‘In our dear peril.’; ‘Would I had met my dearest foe in heavenOr ever I had seen that day.’;

Dearnoun

A dear one; lover; sweetheart.

‘That kiss I carried from thee, dear.’;

Dearadverb

Dearly; at a high price.

‘If thou attempt it, it will cost thee dear.’;

Dearverb

To endear.

Dearnoun

a beloved person; used as terms of endearment

Dearnoun

a sweet innocent mild-mannered person (especially a child)

Dearadjective

dearly loved

Dearadjective

with or in a close or intimate relationship;

‘a good friend’; ‘my sisters and brothers are near and dear’;

Dearadjective

earnest;

‘one's dearest wish’; ‘devout wishes for their success’; ‘heartfelt condolences’;

Dearadjective

having a high price;

‘costly jewelry’; ‘high-priced merchandise’; ‘much too dear for my pocketbook’; ‘a pricey restaurant’;

Dearadverb

with affection;

‘she loved him dearly’; ‘he treats her affectionately’;

Dearadverb

at a great cost;

‘he paid dearly for the food’; ‘this cost him dear’;

Dearadjective

regarded with deep affection

‘he is very dear to me’; ‘a dear friend’;

Dearadjective

used in speech as a polite or affectionate form of address

‘Martin, my dear fellow’;

Dearadjective

used in the polite form of address at the start of a letter.

Dearadjective

endearing; sweet

‘a dear little puppy’;

Dearadjective

expensive

‘five pounds—that's a bit dear!’;

Dearnoun

used as an affectionate or friendly form of address

‘don't you worry, dear’;

Dearnoun

a sweet or endearing person

‘Harry's a dear’;

Dearadverb

at a high cost

‘they buy property cheaply and sell dear’;

Dearinterjection

used in expressions of surprise, dismay, or sympathy

‘oh dear, I've upset you’;