2 days ago · The meaning of DEAR is highly valued : precious —often used in a salutation. How to use dear in a sentence.

DEAR definition: 1. loved or liked very much: 2. used at the beginning of a letter to greet the person you are…. Learn more.

5 days ago · Synonyms for DEAR: valuable, expensive, precious, costly, premium, high, extravagant, priceless; Antonyms of DEAR: reasonable, inexpensive, cheap, moderate, worthless, valueless, …

Feb 1, 2026 · Discover 100 alternatives to “Dear” for letters and emails—formal, friendly, and creative greetings. Perfect for anyone writing in English.

May 14, 2026 · From Middle English dere, from Old English dīere (“of great value or excellence, expensive, beloved”), from Proto-West Germanic *diurī, from Proto-Germanic *diurijaz (“dear, …

Apr 23, 2026 · Discover 20+ professional ways to say “Dear” in emails. Improve your communication with modern, formal alternatives and practical examples.

May 12, 2026 · Learn how to write a formal and informal letter using 'Dear' as a greeting. This guide covers tips on tone, structure, and proper salutations for different contexts.

As a written form of address — such as " Dear Mr. So-and-so" — dear is generally a polite but impersonal standard greeting. Dear can sometimes mean expensive, as in "The cost of food is so …

Written by Abigail Van Buren (also known as Jeanne Phillips), Dear Abby is the most widely syndicated columnist in the world, delivering sound, compassionate advice every day.

1. A person who is greatly loved. Often used as a form of address. 2. An endearing, lovable, or kind person: What a dear she is!