dearie

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'dearie' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is a term of endearment, typically used to express affection or fondness towards someone. You can use 'dearie' as a term of endearment towards a close friend, family member, or romantic partner. It is often used as a pet name or nickname. Example: "Good morning, dearie! How did you sleep?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

"Oh, dearie, I never do this, but . . .

The New Yorker

Women he liked were called "dearie" and trusted male friends "Old Cock".

The New Yorker

"Well done, dearie!" He signalled Manuel for another sherry.

The New Yorker

Oh dearie, dearie.

Independent

The reply is, "Scientific American, dearie".

The New Yorker

He is a son of the late Catherine A. Dearie and the late John A. Dearie, who lived in Rockville Centre, N.Y.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

It revealed how the judge in the case, Raymond Dearie, referred to Fifa as a "racketeering influenced corrupt organization", the same terminology used in cases of organised crime, and only allowed the hearing to proceed after the Brooklyn courtroom had been locked.

The Guardian - Sport

The district judge, Raymond Dearie, revealed the characteristic obliviousness of most Americans to soccer, which has added to the resentment some have of the US playing their world policeman role in football.

The Guardian - Sport

The year's other deaths included those of drummer Rashied Ali, singers Chris Connor and Blossom Dearie, composer George Russell, saxophone partners Hank Crawford and David Newman, drummer Louie Bellson, saxophonists Bud Shank and Charlie Mariano, and percussionist Manny Oquendo.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Thigpen, the son of veteran big-band drummer Ben Thigpen, played in bop and swing-styled combos in the 1950s, including pianist Billy Taylor's trio (1956 59), and recorded with singer Blossom Dearie, pianist Mal Waldron, saxophonists John Coltrane and Paul Quinichette, and others.

Encyclopedia Britannica

US District Judge Raymond Dearie said he had spoken with a representative of the British government who had wanted to highlight what he said were "very grave considerations".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dearie" sparingly and consider your audience. While it can express warmth, it might sound patronizing or old-fashioned to some.

Common error

Avoid using "dearie" in professional or formal settings where a more neutral or respectful tone is expected. Opt for a person's name or a more formal title instead.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "dearie" is as a noun of address, used as a term of endearment. It functions to express affection or familiarity towards the person being addressed, often conveying a sense of warmth or intimacy as demonstrated by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Encyclopedias

12%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

4%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dearie" is a noun of address used as an informal term of endearment. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and usable. While generally appropriate in casual settings to convey affection or familiarity, it should be used with caution in professional or formal contexts. Semantically similar alternatives include "sweetheart", "darling", and "honey". Based on Ludwig's analysis, the term is most frequently found in News & Media and Encyclopedias sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sweetheart

Similar term of endearment, often used in a romantic or affectionate context.

darling

Another common term of endearment, expressing fondness or affection.

honey

Term of endearment, often used informally between partners or towards children.

love

Informal term of endearment, commonly used in British English.

sweetie

A more casual and friendly term of endearment.

pet

A somewhat old-fashioned term of endearment, expressing affection.

ducky

British English term of endearment, mostly used in certain regions.

dear

A more general term of endearment, less intimate than "dearie".

my dear

More formal than "dearie", but still expresses affection or concern.

my love

A more dramatic and romantic term of endearment.

FAQs

How do you use "dearie" in a sentence?

"Dearie" is typically used as a term of endearment. For example: "Oh, "dearie", I never do this, but here's my HBO GO password".

What's the difference between "dearie" and "dear"?

"Dearie" is a more intimate and affectionate form of "dear". While "dear" can be used in various contexts, "dearie" is generally reserved for close relationships or informal settings.

What can I say instead of "dearie"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "sweetheart", "darling", "honey", or "love".

Is it appropriate to use "dearie" in a professional setting?

Generally, no. "Dearie" is an informal term of endearment. It's best to stick to professional titles or names in a work environment.