1 used at the beginning of a letter before the name or title of the person you are writing to （用于书信的开端，收信人姓名或头衔之前）: Dear Sarah, ... 亲爱的萨拉﹕…Dear Sir or Madam, ... 敬启者﹕…

2 dear (to sb) loved by or important to sb 心爱的；（对某人）重要的: It was a subject that was very dear to him. 这是他很喜欢的科目。She's one of my dearest friends. 她是我最要好的朋友之一。

3 (Brit 英) expensive 昂贵的: How can people afford to smoke when cigarettes are so dear? 香烟这么贵，谁还抽得起？