Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - dear

~1 interjection The phrases `oh dear', `dear oh dear', `dear dear', and `dear me' are all used to show that you are surprised, upset, or annoyed because you have done something wrong, because something bad has happened etc. `Oh dear' is much more common than the others. `Dear oh dear' and `dear dear' are used to emphasize how surprised, upset, or annoyed you are. `Dear me' is a little old-fashioned  (Oh dear I've broken the lamp. | "He's been taken into hospital." "Oh dear!" | Dear oh dear, that's terrible news. | Dear, dear, I am sorry. Hope I didn't hurt you. | Dear me! I forgot to call Kathy and now it's too late.) ~2 n 1 used when speaking to someone you love  (How did the interview go, dear?) 2 spoken a friendly way of speaking to someone you do not know, for example, to a customer in a shop  (Can I help you, dear?) 3 spoken especially BrE someone who is very kind and helpful  (Be a dear and make me some coffee.) 4 old dear BrE a fairly rude expression meaning an old woman ~3 adj 1 Dear used before someone's name or title when you begin a letter  (Dear Madam | Dear Meg) 2 BrE expensive  (I didn't buy it because it was too dear.) 3 formal a dear friend or relative is very important to you and you love them a lot  (Mark had become a dear friend. | be dear to sb)  (His sister was very dear to him.) 4 for dear life if you run, fight, climb etc for dear life, you do it as fast or as well as you can because you are afraid ~4 adv cost sb dear to cause a lot of trouble and suffering for someone  (Carolyn's marriage to Pete cost her dear.)