dearest
gb/dˈɪɹɪst/ us/dˈɪɹɪst/
A2
English
~ 3300
Senses
0 senses
Noun
informal
A2
entity
1
A person one loves most
Someone you love very much.
Usage pattern:
to talk to [someone] you love
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'dearest' with 'deer' (the animal) due to similar pronunciation.
Synonyms
darling (Very similar in use, but 'darling' can sound slightly more old-fashioned or romantic.)
Antonyms
enemy (An enemy is someone you dislike or oppose, the opposite of someone you love.)
Collocations
my dearest
|oh dearest
|dearest friend
Themes
relationships
|emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I miss you, my dearest.
- Dearest, could you pass me the salt?
- She wrote a letter to her dearest before leaving.
Learner examples
- Good night, my dearest.
- Hello, dearest! How are you?
- I want to see my dearest soon.
adjective
B1
property
2
Most loved or cherished
Loved more than anyone or anything else.
Usage pattern:
[someone's] dearest [friend/hope/wish]
Common mistake:
Some learners incorrectly use 'most dearest', which is redundant since 'dearest' is already a superlative form.
Synonyms
most beloved (More formal and literary than 'dearest', but similar in meaning.)
Antonyms
least loved (Direct opposite in terms of affection level.)
Collocations
dearest friend
|dearest wish
|dearest hope
Themes
relationships
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He is my dearest friend from childhood.
- Her dearest wish is to travel the world.
- This book was her dearest possession.
Learner examples
- She is my dearest friend.
- His dearest dream is to be a pilot.
- This is my dearest memory.
adjective
B1
property
3
Most expensive or costly
More expensive than all others.
Usage pattern:
the dearest [item]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this meaning with the affectionate sense and use it incorrectly when talking about people.
Synonyms
most expensive (Direct equivalent in meaning but more common in neutral contexts.)
Antonyms
cheapest (The opposite in terms of cost.)
Collocations
the dearest hotel
|the dearest dress
|the dearest option
Themes
shopping
|economics
|finance
|business
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- This is the dearest restaurant in town.
- She bought the dearest dress in the shop.
- The dearest option isn't always the best one.
Learner examples
- This is the dearest hotel here.
- That is the dearest phone in the store.
- The red bag is the dearest one.
Grammar
Dictionary form
dearest
IPA
GB/dˈɪɹɪst/
US/dˈɪɹɪst/
Syllables & stress
dearest (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (dearest)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: dearest
- Comparative: dearester
- Superlative: dearestest
Noun
- Base: dearest
- Plural: dearests
Word family
Expressions
dearest friend
1/dˈɪɹɪst fɹˈɛnd/
fixed phrase
Closest and most loved friend
A friend you care about more than any other.
Examples
- She has been my dearest friend since school.
- He came to visit his dearest friend in the hospital.
my dearest
1/mˈaɪ dˈɪɹɪst/
fixed phrase
informal
Affectionate address for loved one
A sweet way to call someone you love a lot.
Examples
- My dearest, I have missed you so much.
- Thank you, my dearest, for all your help.