dearest

dear ¹  (dîr)

adj. dear·er, dear·est

1.

a. Loved and cherished: my dearest friend.

b. Greatly valued; precious: lost everything dear to them.

2. Highly esteemed or regarded. Used in direct address, especially in salutations: Dear Lee Dawson.

3.

a. High-priced; expensive.

b. Charging high prices.

4. Earnest; ardent: "This good man was a dear lover and constant practicer of angling" (Izaak Walton).

5. Obsolete Noble; worthy.

6. Heartfelt: It is my dearest wish.

n.

1. One that is greatly loved.

2. An endearing, lovable, or kind person.

adv.

1. With fondness; affectionately.

2. At a high cost: sold their wares dear.

interj.

Used as a polite exclamation, chiefly of surprise or distress: oh dear; dear me.

---

[Middle English dere, from Old English dore.]

---

dearly adv.

dearness n.

---

dear ²  (dîr)

adj.

Severe; grievous; sore: our dearest need.

---

[Middle English dere, from Old English dor.]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

dearest - a beloved person; used as terms of endearment beloved, dear, honey, love lover - a person who loves someone or is loved by someone