好词典

dear

UK //dɪə(r)//US //dɪr//

词源

源自古英语'dēore'(珍贵,有价值),源自原始日耳曼语*diurijaz,与荷兰语'dier'(昂贵)和德语'teuer'(昂贵)同源。

adjective

❶ 用于称呼或描述珍爱的人或事物,表达深厚感情或重要性。常用于亲密关系或正式书信开头。

“My dear friend, how have you been?”

(我亲爱的朋友,你最近好吗?)

“She held her dear grandmother's hand tightly.”

(她紧紧握着她亲爱的祖母的手。)

❶ 形容价格昂贵,通常带有抱怨或惊讶的语气。

“The hotel was too dear for our budget.”

(这家酒店的价格超出了我们的预算。)

“Fruits are getting dearer these days.”

(最近水果越来越贵了。)

同义词:beloved, precious, expensive, costly

noun

❶ 用作对心爱之人的昵称,常见于亲密关系或长辈对晚辈的称呼。

“Come here, my dear.”

(过来,亲爱的。)

“Would you like some tea, dear?”

(要喝点茶吗,亲爱的?)

同义词:darling, sweetheart, love

常见短语

Dear John letter — 指结束恋爱关系的分手信,传统上由女性写给男性。

“She sent him a Dear John letter while he was overseas.”

(当他在海外时,她给他寄了一封分手信。)

hold dear — 非常珍视某事物,将其视为重要或宝贵。

“We hold these traditions dear to our hearts.”

(我们非常珍视这些传统。)