dearly

adverb

dear·​ly ˈdir-lē How to pronounce dearly (audio)
1
: with affection : fondly
2
: heartily, earnestly
prayed so dearly for peace
3
: at a high rate or price
paid dearly for the error

Examples of dearly in a Sentence

I would dearly love to see them again. He dearly wanted to believe that it was true.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Vegas missed its captain dearly The Golden Knights just aren’t the same team when Mark Stone isn’t on the ice, or the bench. Daniel Nugent-Bowman, New York Times, 15 May 2025 On the diplomatic front, the decision has cost him dearly. Simon Shuster, Time, 15 May 2025 As Americans hunt for dyed eggs, spike their blood sugar levels with Peeps, attend services, enjoy matzoh dishes and memorialize the dearly departed, others may be consuming cannabis products with a sense of ceremony. Jeanie Pyun, HollywoodReporter, 20 Apr. 2025 My heart aches along with his family, friends, and constituents who loved him dearly. Tess Riski, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dearly

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dearly was in the 13th century

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Cite this Entry

“Dearly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dearly. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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