dear
noun/dɪə(r)/
/dɪr/
- (informal) a kind person
- Isn't he a dear?
- Be a dear and fetch me my coat.
- used when speaking to somebody you love
- Would you like a drink, dear?
- Come here, my dear.
Homophones dear | deerdear deer/dɪə(r)//dɪr/- dear adjective
- Kate is a very dear friend of mine.
- dear noun
- Congratulations, my dear!
- deer noun
- Several deer emerged from the forest.
- used when speaking to somebody in a friendly way, for example by an older person to a young person or a child
- What's your name, dear?
Word OriginOld English dēore, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch dier ‘beloved’, also to Dutch duur and German teuer ‘expensive’.
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dear