adjective
dearer; -est
[also more ~; most ~]
loved or valued very much
used in writing to address someone
chiefly Brit :having a high price :expensive
for dear life
adverb
with love and respect - used in the phrase hold dear
noun
plural dears
[count] used to address someone you love
a kind and helpful person
interjection
used especially to express surprise, fear, or disappointment