dear [dɪəɼ] adjective 1. [loved] caro ( f cara) dear to sb caro a qn 2. (esp UK) [expensive] caro ( f cara) 3. [in letter] Dear Sir/Madam Gentile Signore/Signora dear [dɪəɼ] noun [beloved] my dear mio caro m, mia cara f dear [dɪəɼ] exclamation oh dear! oddio!