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.

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[Middle English dere, from Old English dore.]

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dearly adv.

dearness n.

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dear ²  (dîr)

adj.

Severe; grievous; sore: our dearest need.

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[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

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dearest

noun

darling What's wrong, my dearest?

adjective

most beloved my oldest and dearest friends

Translations

dearest [ˈdɪərɪst]

n (= darling) → chéri* $(chérie)m/f

adj

(= darling) [person] Dearest Paul → Mon cher Paul
Dearest Maria → Ma chère Maria

(= most cherished) my dearest hope → mon plus grand espoir
her dearest hope → son plus grand espoir
my dearest wish → mon vœu le plus cher
his dearest wish → son vœu le plus cher
see also near