What does dearly mean?
"Dearly" is an adverb formed from the adjective "dear," meaning very much, with deep affection, or at great cost. Its most common use today expresses intensity of feeling: one may dearly love a friend, dearly wish for something, or dearly hope for an outcome. It also conveys tender attachment, as when family members are described as loving each other dearly — a usage preserved in the familiar opening "Dearly beloved" at weddings and formal ceremonies. A third, somewhat older sense means "at heavy cost" or "with great loss": someone who pays dearly for a mistake has suffered serious consequences because of it. This cost-related meaning often appears in figurative language about lessons learned through hardship. "Dearly" lends warmth and emotional weight wherever it appears, making it especially valuable in writing that seeks to express sincerity, devotion, or regret. It remains standard across British and American English.
adverbVery much; with deep affection or strong emotion. Also, at great cost or expense.
- Very much; intensely (as in 'dearly love' or 'dearly wish')
- With deep affection or fondness
- At great cost, sacrifice, or suffering
"She would dearly love to visit Japan someday."
"He would dearly love to retire by the sea."
"The team paid dearly for their careless mistakes."
When a bride's father "pays dearly" for the wedding, he might be spending money — but when we say "Dearly beloved," we're echoing centuries of English affection in four syllables.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of dearly
"Dearly" derives from the Old English word "dēore" (or "dyre"), meaning precious, costly, or beloved, combined with the adverbial suffix "-līce." The underlying root is Germanic, related to Old High German "tiuri" (precious) and Old Norse "dýrr." The original sense emphasized high value or cost, which survives today in expressions like "pay dearly," while the affectionate sense developed alongside it. Cognates appear across the Germanic languages, reflecting a shared ancestral concept of something prized or cherished.
Related word forms
How dearly is actually used
"Dearly" appears frequently in formal and emotional contexts. In the phrase "Dearly beloved," it carries a ceremonial register common in wedding services. The sense of "at great cost" is often used figuratively to describe consequences of mistakes or poor choices.
Easily confused with dearly
"Dear" is an adjective or noun meaning loved or expensive, while "dearly" is its adverb form describing how an action is done.