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| Language: | Old English |
| Origin: | deore |
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dear3 S2 W2 comparative dearer, superlative dearest
1 used before someone's name or title to begin a letter : 
Dear Sir or Madam, ...Dear Mrs. Wilson, ... Dear Meg, ...
Dear
Dear Sir or Madam, ...Dear Mrs. Wilson, ...Dear Meg, ...2 British English expensive [≠ cheap]: Cars are 59% dearer in Britain than in Europe.
Cars are 59% dearer in Britain than in Europe.3 formal a dear friend or relative is very important to you and you love them a lot :
4 to think that something is very important : Household economy was something my mother held very dear.
hold something dear
Household economy was something my mother held very dear.5 used to describe someone or something in a way that shows your love or liking of them [= good old]: Here we are, back in dear old Manchester!
dear old...
British English spokenHere we are, back in dear old Manchester!6 if you run, fight, hold on etc for dear life, you do it as fast or as well as you can because you are afraid :
