dear
dir
- n a beloved person; used as terms of endearment
- n a sweet innocent mild-mannered person (especially a child)
- s dearly loved
- s with or in a close or intimate relationship
my sisters and brothers are near and dear - s earnest
one's dearest wish - s having a high price
much too dear for my pocketbook - r with affection
she loved him dearly - r at a great cost
he paid dearly for the food
this cost him dear