Dear (Adverb)
Meaning 1
With affection; "she loved him dearly"; "he treats her affectionately".
Examples
- Her husband holds her dearly in his arms and whispers words of comfort in her ear.
- She dearly loves her grandmother, who had always been there to support her.
- The little girl treats her favorite pet dearly, making sure to feed and care for it every day.
- In her dreams, she is dearly loved by her family, who finds happiness in being with her.
- Their love had grown stronger over the years and she holds him dearly every single night.
Synonyms
Meaning 2
At a great cost; "he paid dearly for the food"; "this cost him dear".
Examples
- Her decision to quit college early cost her dear in terms of lost earning potential.
- The party that night cost him dearly, as he overspent on expensive drinks and entertainment.
- Her lack of preparation for the exam cost her dear, resulting in a failing grade.
- He paid dearly for his procrastination, as his delays resulted in missed opportunities.
- Her naivety cost her dear when she invested in a scheme that turned out to be a scam.