dear
gb/dˈɪɹ/ us/dˈɪɹ/
A2
English
~ 2800
kedves, drága, drágám, jaj
A2
1
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is dear to [someone]
She is a dear friend who has always been there for me.
Nagyon kedves barátom, aki mindig mellettem volt.
This old photo is very dear to me.
Ez a régi fénykép nagyon kedves számomra.
He lost someone very dear to him last year.
The memories of our trip are dear to my heart.
Learner examples
My dog is very dear to me.
A kutyám nagyon drága nekem.
She is a dear friend.
Kedves barátom.
This book is dear to my father.
My grandmother is dear to our family.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'dear' meaning 'loved' with 'dear' meaning 'expensive'. Context is important.
Meaning
loved or treasured
Collocations
dear friend
|dear family
|someone dear
|hold dear
|dear to my heart
Synonyms
beloved (More formal and poetic than 'dear', often used in romantic or ceremonial contexts.)
Antonyms
unloved (Describes someone or something not cared for or valued.)
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Loved or liked very much.
Regarded with deep affection or high personal value.
B1
2
drága
A1
Usage pattern:
[something] is dear
The rent in this part of the city is quite dear.
A városnak ezen a részén elég drága az albérlet.
That shop is a bit dear, but the quality is excellent.
Az a bolt egy kicsit drága, de a minőség kiváló.
Tickets for the concert are too dear for me.
Learner examples
This dress is too dear.
Ez a ruha túl drága.
The food here is dear.
Itt drága az étel.
That phone is very dear.
The hotel was a bit dear for us.
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize this meaning is less common in American English, where 'expensive' is preferred.
Meaning
costing a lot
Collocations
too dear
|very dear
|a bit dear
|rather dear
Synonyms
expensive (The most common synonym; interchangeable in most contexts.)
Antonyms
cheap (Low in price, the opposite of 'dear' in this sense.)
Themes
money
|shopping
|finance
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Costing a lot of money.
Costing a relatively large amount of money; expensive.
NOUN
A2
3
Usage pattern:
[Dear], [rest of sentence]
Thank you, my dear, for your help.
Köszönöm, drágám, a segítségedet.
Don't worry, dear, everything will be fine.
Ne aggódj, drágám, minden rendben lesz.
Come here, dear, and sit down.
Learner examples
I love you, dear.
Szeretlek, drágám.
Come here, dear.
Gyere ide, drágám.
Good night, dear.
Thank you, my dear.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes overuse 'dear' in formal writing where it may sound old-fashioned or overly intimate.
Meaning
beloved person (address)
Collocations
my dear
|oh dear
Synonyms
darling (More intimate or romantic than 'dear'.)
Themes
relationships
|emotions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Someone you love or like, used when speaking to them.
A person who is loved or liked, often used as a form of address.
A2
4
jaj
A1
Usage pattern:
'Oh dear' + [clause]
Oh dear, I forgot my keys at home!
Jaj, otthon felejtettem a kulcsaimat!
Oh dear, that's not good news.
Jaj, ez nem jó hír.
Oh dear, did you hurt yourself?
Learner examples
Oh dear, I am late.
Jaj, késésben vagyok.
Oh dear, I lost my bag.
Jaj, elvesztettem a táskámat.
Oh dear, that is bad.
Oh dear, she is sick.
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'oh dear' sounds formal; in fact it can be used in everyday speech but may seem slightly old-fashioned in some dialects.
Meaning
expression of surprise or concern
Collocations
oh dear
Synonyms
oh no ('Oh no' is more informal and often stronger in emotional tone.)
Themes
emotions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
'Oh dear' means you are surprised, worried, or sorry about something.
'Oh dear': Used to express surprise, worry, disapproval, or sympathy.
Grammar
Dictionary form
dear
IPA
GB/dˈɪɹ/
US/dˈɪɹ/
Syllables & stress
dear (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (dear)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: dear
- Comparative: dearer
- Superlative: dearest
Noun
- Base: dear
- Plural: dears
Word family
Expressions
Dear Sir or Madam
1/dˈɪɹ sˈɚ ˈɔɹ mˈædəm/
fixed phrase
formal
formal letter opening when recipient unknown
Used at the start of a formal letter when you do not know who will read it.
Examples
- Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to apply for the position advertised.
- Please find attached my CV. Dear Sir or Madam, I look forward to hearing from you.
hold dear
1/hˈoʊld dˈɪɹ/
fixed phrase
value greatly or cherish emotionally
To care about something or someone very much.
Examples
- I hold my family dearly and always put them first.
- He holds his freedom dearly.
oh dear
1/ˈoʊ dˈɪɹ/
fixed phrase
mild distress or surprise exclamation
'Oh dear' is something you say when you are worried, surprised, or sorry about something small or unexpected.
Examples
- Oh dear, I forgot to bring my wallet!
- Oh dear, the cake has burned.
oh dear
1/ˈoʊ dˈɪɹ/
fixed phrase
concern or mild dismay
We say “oh dear” when something has gone wrong.
Examples
- Oh dear, I think I left my keys at home.
- Oh dear—that’s not good.
- Oh dear, are you hurt?
Learner examples
- Oh dear!
- Oh dear, I forgot.