How to pronounce "dear"

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Phonetic Breakdown of "dear"

Learn how to break down "dear" into its phonetic components. Understanding syllables and phonetics helps with pronunciation, spelling, and language learning.

Standard Phonetic Pronunciation:

/diːɹ/
/dɪə/
/dɪɹ/
Phonetic representation based on standard dictionaries

IPA Phonetic Pronunciation:

D IH1 R
Standard phonetic transcription to help with precise pronunciation

Pronunciation Tips:

  • Stress the first syllable
  • Pay attention to vowel sounds
  • Practice each syllable separately

Spelling Benefits:

  • Easier to remember spelling
  • Helps with word recognition
  • Improves reading fluency

Definition of "dear"

Pronunciation: /diːɹ/

Noun

  • A very kind, loving person.
    Example: "My cousin is such a dear, always drawing me pictures."
  • A beloved person.
  • An affectionate, familiar term of address, such as used between husband and wife.
    Example: "Pass me the salt, would you dear?"

Verb

  • To endear.

Adjective

  • High in price; expensive.
    Example: "The dearer the jewel, the greater the love expressed."
  • Loved; lovable.
  • Loving, affectionate, heartfelt
    Example: "Such dear embrace tenderly comforts even in this dear sorrow."
  • Precious to or greatly valued by someone.
    Example: "The dearer the giver, the dearer the trinket he brings!"
  • A formal way to start (possibly after my) addressing somebody at the beginning of a letter, memo etc.
    Example: "Dear Sir/Madam/Miss, please notice our offices will be closed during the following bank holidays: [...]."
  • A formal way to start (often after my) addressing somebody one likes or regards kindly.
    Example: "My dear friend, I feel better as soon as you come sit beside my sickbed!"
  • An ironic way to start (often after my) addressing an inferior.
    Example: "My dear boy, if your grades don't pick up I won't bounce you on but over my knee!"
  • Noble.

Adverb

  • Dearly; at a high price
Pronunciation: /diːɹ/

Adjective

  • Severe, or severely affected; sore.
  • Fierce.
    Example: "The Christens found the heathens dear, as the lion doth the bear."

Related Words to "dear"

Discover words associated with "dear" through various relationships - including meaning, context, usage, and more. Exploring word associations helps build a deeper understanding of language connections.

pricey pricy costly expensive heartfelt affectionately earnest beloved

Words That Sound Like "dear"

Practice these words that sound similar to "dear" to improve your pronunciation precision and train your ear to distinguish subtle sound differences.

deer 1 syllable dare 1 syllable door 1 syllable dire 1 syllable dar 1 syllable dor 1 syllable doer 1 syllable dure 1 syllable