- Dear
used at the beginning of a letter before the name or title of the person that you are writing to （用于信函抬头的名字或头衔前）亲爱的 Dear Sir or Madam 亲爱的先生／女士 Dear Mrs Jones 亲爱的琼斯太太 Dear Beth/Dad/Aunt Susan 亲爱的贝丝/爸爸/苏珊阿姨 - (old-fashioned)
My dear sister 我亲爱的姐姐
-
loved by or important to somebody 亲爱的；宝贵的；珍视的 He's one of my dearest friends. 他是我最亲密的朋友之一。 They are grieving over their dear departed ones. 他们在为他们亲爱的逝者悲伤。 - dear to somebody
Her daughter is very dear to her. 她的女儿是她心爱的宝贝。 They lost everything that was dear to them. 他们失去了所有宝贵的东西。
Homophones dear | deerdear deer- dear adjective
Kate is a very dear friend of mine. 凯特是我非常亲密的朋友。
- dear noun
Congratulations, my dear! 恭喜你，亲爱的！
- deer noun
The team is responsible for conserving red deer in the forest. 这个团队负责保护森林中的马鹿。
- [only before noun] (old-fashioned)
used in speech or writing to address somebody in a polite or friendly way （惊奇、不安、烦恼、担忧等时说）啊，哎呀，糟糕，天哪 Martin, my dear fellow… 马丁，我亲爱的朋友… Take my advice, dear reader. 接受我的建议，亲爱的读者。
- [not usually before noun] (British English)
expensive; costing a lot of money 昂贵；价格高 Everything's so dear now, isn't it? 现在什么东西都那么贵，是不是？ There was a shortage of potatoes, and they became dear. 土豆短缺，它们变得很贵。
opposite cheap
Word OriginOld English dēore, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch dier ‘beloved’, also to Dutch duur and German teuer ‘expensive’.
Idioms
close/dear/near to somebody’s heart
having a lot of importance and interest for somebody 为某人所重视关心；为某人所爱
dear old/little…
for dear life | for your life
hang/hold on for dear life (North American English, British English)
(also hang/hold on for/like grim death British English)
- (informal)
to hold somebody/something very tightly because you are afraid （害怕得）死死抓住不放，紧紧抓住不松手
hold somebody/something dear
your nearest and dearest
- (informal)
your close family and friends 至亲；至爱；最亲密的亲友