dearly

Dearly is an English adverb with two primary senses. In expressions of affection, it means to a great extent or with strong feeling, as in “We miss you dearly” or “They were dearly loved by the community.” It can also function as an intensifier with verbs of desire, as in “I would dearly love to attend.” In a different sense, dearly can mean “at a high price” or “with great cost,” as in “They paid dearly for their mistake.” The conventional phrase “dearly beloved” is often found in religious or ceremonial language and designates a cherished person.

Origin and forms: Dearly derives from the adjective dear, which in Old English (deore) meant precious or valued. The adverbial form was developed in Middle English by adding the suffix -ly. The core sense tied to value and affection has persisted, while the cost-related use is a figurative extension.

Usage notes: In modern English, dearly most often appears as an adverb before a verb or adjective, e.g., “I would dearly love to see you” or “They paid dearly for that choice.” It can sound somewhat archaic or emphatic in everyday speech, but remains common in literary or formal contexts and in fixed phrases. The adjective form dear is used independently to address someone directly, as in “my dear friend,” which is a separate function from the adverbial dearly.

See also: dear, dearly beloved, dearly (as an adverb), love.