Collocations for "dear"
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word "dear" in context.
WordReference English Collocations © 2026
dear
ⓘMost examples are given in US English. We have labeled exceptions as UK.adj
- dear [Mr, Mrs, Miss, Sir, Madam, John]
- dear (valued) [customer, client, member, subscriber]
- my dear [parents, wife, husband, friends]
- is a dear friend [of mine, to me]
- (one of) my (nearest and) dearest friends
- the [thieves, burglars] took our dearest possessions
- are so dear to me
- is [very, particularly, especially] dear to my heart
- a dear price to pay for
- [good morning, goodnight] dear
- [love, will miss] you, dear
- [yes, thank you, hello, sorry], my dear
- can I help you, dear?
- what would you like, dear?
- is such a dear
- be a dear and [get me a drink, help me out]
- oh dear, I've [lost my keys, forgotten her name]!
- dear oh dear!
- [good morning, goodnight] dear
- dear [Mr, Mrs, Miss, Sir, Madam, John]
- [love, will miss] you, dear
- dear (valued) [customer, client, member, subscriber]
- [yes, thank you, hello, sorry], my dear
- my dear [parents, wife, husband, friends]
- can I help you, dear?
- is a dear friend [of mine, to me]
- what would you like, dear?
- (one of) my (nearest and) dearest friends
- is such a dear
- the [thieves, burglars] took our dearest possessions
- be a dear and [get me a drink, help me out]
- are so dear to me
- is [very, particularly, especially] dear to my heart
- oh dear, I've [lost my keys, forgotten her name]!
- dear oh dear!
- (oh,) dear me!
- dear god!
- a dear price to pay for
'dear' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):