dearest

UK: /ˈdɪərɪst/

From dear (adj):

dearer

adj comparative

dearest

adj superlative

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

dear¹ /dɪr/   adj., -er, -est, n., adv., interj. 
adj. 

1. (used as a conventional greeting or in the salutation of a letter as an expression of respect, friendship, etc.):
   Dear Sir or Madam. My dear friends.
2. beloved;
   much loved;
   precious:
   The burglars had taken our dearest possessions.
3. heartfelt;
   earnest:
   He had no dearer wish.
4. expensive:
   Tomatoes were dear in the winter.

n. [countable]

5. a kind or generous person:
   You're a dear to look after the children.
6. a beloved one:
   Come here, my dears, and give your granddaddy a big hug.
7. Sex and Gender an affectionate or familiar term of address (sometimes considered offensive when used to a stranger, subordinate, etc.)

interj. 

8. (used as an exclamation of surprise, distress, etc.):
   Oh dear, I've lost the phone number.

dear•ness, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

dear¹  (dēr), adj., -er, -est, n., adv., interj. 
adj. 

1. beloved or loved:
   a dear friend.
2. (used in the salutation of a letter as an expression of affection or respect or as a conventional greeting):
   Dear Sir.
3. precious in one's regard;
   cherished:
   our dearest possessions.
4. heartfelt;
   earnest:
   one's dearest wish.
5. high-priced;
   expensive:
   The silk dress was too dear.
6. charging high prices:
   That shop is too dear for my budget.
7. excessive;
   high:
   a dear price to pay for one's independence.
8. [Obs.] difficult to get;
   scarce.
9. [Obs.] worthy;
   honorable.

n. 

10. a person who is good, kind, or generous:
    You're a dear to help me with the work.
11. a beloved one.
12. Sex and Gender (sometimes cap.) an affectionate or familiar term of address (sometimes offensive when used to a stranger, subordinate, etc.)

adv. 

13. dearly;
    fondly.
14. at a high price:
    That painting cost me dear.

interj. 

15. (used as an exclamation of surprise, distress, etc.):
    Oh dear, what a disappointment! Dear me! What's all that noise?

• bef. 900; Middle English dere, Old English dēore; cognate with Old High German tiuri, Old Norse dȳrr

dear′ly, adv. 
dear′ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. darling, cherished.
• 5. See expensive. 

dear²  (dēr), adj., -er, -est. [Archaic.]

1. hard;
   grievous.

Also, dere. 

• Middle English dere, Old English dēor brave, bold, severe bef. 1000

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

dear / dɪə/ adjective

1. beloved; precious
2. used in conventional forms of address preceding a title or name, as in Dear Sir or my dear Mr Smith
3. (postpositive) followed by to: important; close: a wish dear to her heart
4. highly priced
5. charging high prices
6. appealing or pretty: what a dear little ring!
7. for dear life ⇒ urgently or with extreme vigour or desperation

interjection

1. used in exclamations of surprise or dismay, such as Oh dear! and dear me!

noun

1. (often used in direct address) someone regarded with affection and tenderness; darling

adverb

1. dearly: his errors have cost him dear

Etymology: Old English dēore; related to Old Norse dӯrr

ˈdearness noun