dear

Dear is an English word with several related senses. As an adjective, it can describe someone or something cherished or beloved, as in “my dear friend” or “dear family.” It can also mean expensive or costly, a usage common in British English, as in “a dear price to pay.” The intended meaning is usually clear from context and tone.

As a form of address, dear is commonly used at the start of a letter or in conversation to convey warmth, familiarity, or politeness. In letters and emails, the opening “Dear [Name]” is a standard convention, for example “Dear Mary,” after which the message proceeds. In spoken language, it can function as a term of affection, as in “Hello, dear.”

Grammatically, dear is an adjective; its adverbial form is dearly, as in “We will miss you dearly.” The word traces back to Old English deore, meaning precious or costly, reflecting both affectionate and valuable senses. In modern use, tone, punctuation, and context help signal whether dear is meant warmly, formally, or humorously.

The term commonly contrasts with its homophone deer. In standard letter-writing conventions, phrases such as “Dear Sir or Madam” express formality, while using a name with dear signals closeness. Beyond everyday language, dear appears across literature and media to convey emotion, emphasis, or personal regard.