Dear
What it means
Loved deeply or valued through a close personal bond.
Reach for it when expressing sincere affection for someone or something personally important
A dear neighbor brought soup and stayed to stack the firewood.
Words to choose between 6
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| warm |
|
| literary |
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playful
Fits when protective tenderness suits the voice
Careful It risks sounding childish, possessive, or sarcastic outside an intimate context.
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everyday
close
Fits when familiarity and trust matter more than overt emotion
Careful Close describes the relationship but may not communicate affection on its own.
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everyday
Fits when preference among several options is the actual point
Careful A dear friend need not be ranked above others, so favorite may distort the bond.
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warm
Fits when loving care and treasured memories are relevant
Careful Cherished suggests protection over time, not merely present affection.
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literary
Fits when deep, enduring love deserves an elevated word
Careful Beloved can feel ceremonial or final when the relationship is simply close and current.
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literary
Fits when rarity or personal value makes the bond precious
Careful Calling a person treasured can focus on possession rather than mutual closeness.
Opposites 3
- hated
- unimportant
- estranged
Common phrases 3
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dear friend
A dear friend remembered the date of her first exhibition.
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hold dear
We hold dear the stories our grandparents recorded.
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dear to someone
The riverside path remains dear to everyone who grew up nearby.
Word family 1
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Back ache, London accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated