- used in expressions that show that you are surprised, upset, annoyed or worried
- Oh dear! I think I've lost my purse!
- Oh dear! What a shame.
- Dear me! What a mess!
- Dear oh dear! What are you going to do now?
Word OriginOld English dēore, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch dier ‘beloved’, also to Dutch duur and German teuer ‘expensive’.Definitions on the go
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dear