| Noun | 1. | dear - a beloved person; used as terms of endearmentlover - a person who loves or is loved | |
| 2. | dear - a sweet innocent mild-mannered person (especially a child) | |
| Adj. | 1. | dear - dearly lovedloved - held dear; "his loved companion of many years" | |
| 2. | dear - with or in a close or intimate relationship; "a good friend"; "my sisters and brothers are near and dear"close - close in relevance or relationship; "a close family"; "we are all...in close sympathy with..."; "close kin"; "a close resemblance" | |
| 3. | dear - earnest; "one's dearest wish"; "devout wishes for their success"; "heartfelt condolences"sincere - open and genuine; not deceitful; "he was a good man, decent and sincere"; "felt sincere regret that they were leaving"; "sincere friendship" | |
| 4. | dear - having a high price; "costly jewelry"; "high-priced merchandise"; "much too dear for my pocketbook"; "a pricey restaurant"expensive - high in price or charging high prices; "expensive clothes"; "an expensive shop" | |
| Adv. | 1. | dear - with affection; "she loved him dearly"; "he treats her affectionately" | |
| 2. | dear - at a great cost; "he paid dearly for the food"; "this cost him dear" | |