dear
dear — adjective
- dearpositive
- dearercomparative
- dearestsuperlative
1. considered very important to you and strongly cared about, such as a family memb
considered very important to you and strongly cared about, such as a family member or close friend
Salma visits her dear grandmother every Sunday afternoon.
collocation: dear + family member
The old photograph reminded Eitan of his dear late father.
This necklace was a gift from a dear friend who lives in Canada.
Benjamin's first drawing was kept by his mother because it was so dear to her.
文法句型
be dear to someone
my dear + [family member/friend]
用法筆記
Common before nouns for family members and close friends. Often used with 'old' to show lasting affection, as in 'my dear old uncle.'
常見錯誤
2. written before someone's name or title at the start of a letter or email as a st
written before someone's name or title at the start of a letter or email as a standard polite greeting
Dear Ms. Chen, thank you for your kind invitation to the conference.
pattern: Dear + Title + Surname
Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to apply for the teaching position.
Dear Aunt Rosa, we hope you can visit us in Taipei this summer.
Dear colleagues, please find the meeting notes attached below.
- to
used only in very informal notes, not standard for business letters
文法句型
Dear + Title + Surname
Dear + First Name
Dear Sir or Madam
用法筆記
Capitalize 'Dear' and the following name. A comma or colon may follow the greeting depending on the style. In emails, 'Dear' is still widely used but sometimes replaced by 'Hi' or 'Hello' in informal settings.
常見錯誤
3. having a price that seems too high compared to what you expect or can afford
having a price that seems too high compared to what you expect or can afford
The jacket in the shop window was far too dear for a student's budget.
pattern: far too dear
Fresh strawberries are dearer in winter than in summer.
comparative form: dearer
We found a lovely flat near the park, but the rent was too dear.
"Everything in this hotel is dreadfully dear," Christopher complained.
- cheap
opposite in price; can imply low quality
- affordable
within one's budget, neutral in tone
文法句型
too dear for someone
dearer than
用法筆記
This sense is more common in British English than American English. In everyday speech, 'expensive' or 'pricey' is more frequent. 'Dear' often carries a tone of personal complaint or disappointment about the cost.
常見錯誤
dear — adverb
1. in a way that shows strong positive feelings of love, care, or fondness toward s
in a way that shows strong positive feelings of love, care, or fondness toward someone or something
The children were dearly loved by both of their grandparents.
passive: be dearly loved
Lan dearly misses the small town in the mountains where she grew up.
pattern: dearly miss
Asher dearly loves the small park near his flat where birds gather.
The old folk song was one that Amihan's grandmother had dearly loved.
文法句型
love dearly
miss dearly
be dearly loved
用法筆記
Almost always paired with the verbs 'love' or 'miss.' It is not used with general action verbs: ❌ 'She dearly smiled at him.'
常見錯誤
2. so that a person suffers serious negative consequences or loses something valuab
so that a person suffers serious negative consequences or loses something valuable as a result of an action
The company would pay dearly for ignoring the safety warnings.
idiom: pay dearly for
Elena's mistake on the contract cost her dearly in legal fees.
pattern: cost someone dearly
The team's decision to cut corners would later cost them dearly.
In his forties, Viktor learned that neglecting his health would cost him dearly as he grew older.
- heavily
used in 'pay heavily' to mean suffer consequences, but less idiomatic
文法句型
pay dearly for something
cost someone dearly
用法筆記
Commonly found in the fixed expressions 'pay dearly for something' and 'cost someone dearly.' Unlike sense 1, this sense always involves a negative outcome — a price, penalty, or loss.
常見錯誤
dear — exclamation
1. said when something mildly bad or unexpected happens and you feel upset, worried
said when something mildly bad or unexpected happens and you feel upset, worried, or annoyed about it
"Oh dear, I've left my wallet on the bus!" cried Femi.
followed by clause explaining reason
Oh dear, the baby has woken up at three in the morning.
Oh dear, I think the soup is burning on the stove!
Dear me, is that the time already? I need to go!
文法句型
Oh dear, + [statement]
Dear me, + [statement]
用法筆記
The phrase 'Oh dear' is milder than a swear word and is used in situations that are inconvenient or upsetting but not catastrophic. 'Dear me' is an older variant still heard in British English.
常見錯誤
dear — noun
- dearsingular
- dearsplural
1. a person who is gentle, helpful, and easy to like, especially when they do somet
a person who is gentle, helpful, and easy to like, especially when they do something kind for you
Thanks for giving me a ride to the station — you are a real dear.
pattern: a real dear
Mr. García is such a dear; he feeds our cat when we travel.
pattern: such a dear
Be a dear and pass me the salt, would you?
Amihan is a dear to help me move all these boxes.
- sweetheart
more affectionate, may imply romantic interest
- darling
more intimate, often used with loved ones
文法句型
a real dear
such a dear
be a dear and + [verb]
用法筆記
Often used after someone has done a small favour. Can also be used playfully or sarcastically. Common in British English in the phrase 'Be a dear and…' to make a polite request.
常見錯誤
2. a word you say when talking directly to someone you feel close to, such as a chi
a word you say when talking directly to someone you feel close to, such as a child, romantic partner, or family member
"Don't cry, my dear, everything will be all right," the nurse said softly.
address: my dear used for comfort
Come along, dear, it is time for your bath.
"Would you like more tea, my dear?" asked the elderly hostess.
Good night, my dear, sleep well," the father whispered to his daughter.
文法句型
[statement], dear
my dear
yes, dear
用法筆記
Not typically used between adult men addressing each other. May sound old-fashioned to younger speakers in some regions. In British English, older women in particular use 'dear' or 'my dear' as a general friendly term.
常見錯誤
3. someone who is very important to you, especially a romantic partner or a close r
someone who is very important to you, especially a romantic partner or a close relative whom you care about deeply
After five years apart, Élise was finally reunited with her dear.
possessive: her dear
The letters were written by Shanti's dear, who died long ago.
Lucas sent flowers to his dear on their anniversary every year.
The old woman spoke warmly of her dear, who had been a sailor.
- sweetheart
more common in modern spoken English
- beloved
more formal or literary
- lover
more specific to a romantic or sexual relationship
文法句型
my dear
her dear
the dears
用法筆記
Less common in everyday conversation than 'boyfriend,' 'girlfriend,' or 'partner.' More often found in poetry, nostalgic writing, or older speech. 'My dear' can also function as a possessive noun meaning 'my loved one.'