Definitions of dear:
- noun: a beloved person; used as terms of endearment
- noun: a sweet innocent mild-mannered person (especially a child)
- adjective: earnest
Example: "One's dearest wish"
- adjective: with or in a close or intimate relationship
Example: "My sisters and brothers are near and dear"
- adjective: dearly loved
- adverb: at a great cost
Example: "He paid dearly for the food"
- adverb: with affection
Example: "She loved him dearly"
- name: A surname (rare: 1 in 50000 families; popularity rank in the U.S.: #6498)