How Do You Spell DEARLY?

Pronunciation: [dˈi͡əli] (IPA)

The word "dearly" is spelled as /ˈdɪərli/. The sound represented by the letter 'd' is followed by the vowel sound /ɪər/, which is a diphthong, made up of the sounds /ɪ/ and /ər/. The letter 'l' at the end of the word is pronounced as a dark 'l', which is articulated by placing the back of the tongue against the soft palate. This spelling and pronunciation of "dearly" is consistent with the English language's complex phonetic system.

DEARLY Meaning and Definition

  1. Dearly is an adverb that is used to describe an intense or strong emotional attachment or affection towards someone or something. It can also imply that something is highly valued or greatly cherished.

    In terms of emotions and relationships, dearly often refers to deep love, fondness, or sentimental feelings. It encompasses a sense of caring and admiration for someone, reflecting the strong bond and importance placed on the individual. For example, one might say "I love you dearly," indicating a profound affection and strong emotional connection toward the person they are addressing.

    Additionally, dearly can be used to express the monetary or personal worth of something. It suggests that an item holds great significance, either due to personal sentiment or its intrinsic value. For instance, one may refer to a cherished family heirloom as being "dearly treasured," emphasizing the high value placed on the keepsake.

    Overall, dearly encapsulates deep emotions, intense attachment, or a high value placed on someone or something. Its usage allows for a comprehensive understanding of the significance, affection, or worth attributed to a person, object, or sentiment.

Top Common Misspellings for DEARLY *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for DEARLY

Etymology of DEARLY

The word "dearly" has its roots in Old English. It derives from the combination of the Old English words "deore" (meaning precious, valuable, or loved) and "lic" (an adverbial suffix meaning "like" or "in the manner of"). Over time, "deorelic" evolved into the Middle English word "derely", which eventually became "dearly" in Modern English. The word has retained its meaning of affection or strong attachment, but it is primarily used today as an adverb, indicating that something is greatly cherished, loved, or dearly paid for.

Idioms with the word DEARLY

  • cost (someone) dearly The idiom "cost (someone) dearly" means that someone has to pay a high price or suffer significant consequences as a result of a particular action or decision. It implies that the consequences or losses incurred are significant and have a lasting impact.
  • pay too dearly for (one's) whistle The idiom "pay too dearly for (one's) whistle" means to suffer or experience negative consequences or hardships as a result of pursuing a particular desire, goal, or endeavor. It implies that the price paid or sacrifices made outweigh the actual value or satisfaction obtained. The phrase originates from an anecdote about a man who paid an exorbitant amount of money for a whistle, only to realize later that its true value did not justify the high cost. Thus, it serves as a cautionary expression about the potential regret or disappointment that can arise from pursuing something of little actual worth.

Similar spelling words for DEARLY

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