dearness

UK: /ˈdɪənɪs/

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