Dearly (Adverb)
Meaning 1
With affection; "she loved him dearly"; "he treats her affectionately".
Examples
- She loved him dearly and was willing to make any sacrifice for his happiness.
- His family cherished the old photographs dearly and kept them in a safe place.
- The children held their grandmother dearly and would often visit her at the nursing home.
- The couple loved each other dearly and had a strong, lasting relationship.
- He treated his younger sister dearly and always looked out for her well-being.
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Meaning 2
In a sincere and heartfelt manner; "I would dearly love to know".
Examples
- I would dearly love to know the secret to her success and happiness.
- She dearly wanted to help those in need and devoted her life to charity work.
- I dearly hope that everything will turn out alright in the end.
- He dearly wished to see his children grow up and have families of their own.
- They dearly appreciated the support and guidance they received from their mentors.
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Meaning 3
At a great cost; "he paid dearly for the food"; "this cost him dear".
Examples
- The company paid dearly for its decision to expand too quickly into the new market.
- She paid dearly for her mistake, losing her job and reputation in the process.
- He paid dearly for the new car, taking out a large loan that would take years to repay.
- The country paid dearly for its involvement in the war, suffering heavy losses and damage.
- The hikers paid dearly for their lack of preparation, getting stranded in the wilderness for days.