deary me

USAGE SUMMARY

"deary me" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to express surprise, shock, or exasperation. Example: "Deary me, I can't believe I forgot my keys again!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Oh deary me".

The Guardian - Books

Deary me, these spectators are annoying.

The Guardian - Sport

Oh deary me Simon Mignolet, how are u a professional goalkeeper!

Independent

Third set: Hewitt 5 - 2 Nalbandian* (Sets: 2 - 0) Oh deary me.

The Guardian - Sport

I don't know what they're doing up there, but deary me.

The Guardian - Sport

On Ryan Giggs securing a 13th Premier League title, Ferguson added: "Deary me, he is a freak, a unique freak.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Pick of the week: Elle S'Apelle, Little Flame (Moshi Moshi) Older readers will remember the popular 1980s "indie" group the Wedding Present, famous for their hyperkinetic strumming and prosaically, oh-deary-me, maudlin-flavoured, Alan-Bennettesque jocularity.

The Guardian - Music

Donaldson did agree with Deary that "writers need to make a living", and admitted that it "annoys me when we are often expected to do events for free", but said she had "never met any other author who feels that libraries are robbing them of their income.

The Guardian - Books

It could be many thousands," said Deary.

The Guardian

Morgan c Simmons b Badree 3 (England 26-3) Oh deary dear.

The Guardian - Sport

Well, that's not quite true, Mr Deary, is it?

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "deary me" sparingly; overuse can make your writing sound affected or insincere.

Common error

Avoid using "deary me" in formal or serious contexts where its lighthearted or slightly antiquated tone may be inappropriate. Instead, opt for more direct and serious expressions of concern or disappointment.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "deary me" is as an interjection, expressing a spontaneous reaction or emotion. It is typically used to convey mild surprise, dismay, or concern, similar to other interjections. According to Ludwig and its examples, the phrase is used as a reaction to unexpected or unfortunate news.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sport

25%

Books

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Deary me" is an interjection used to express mild surprise, dismay, or concern. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Although "deary me" is considered somewhat old-fashioned, it remains a valid expression, particularly in informal contexts. Alternatives include "oh dear" and "my goodness". While the phrase is more prevalent in News & Media, its impact hinges on the specific context. Overusing it can sound insincere, so writers should be mindful of their tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Dear me

A very close synonym, lacking only the intensifier 'y'.

Oh dear

A more common and slightly less old-fashioned alternative expressing mild surprise or concern.

My goodness

A common and polite expression of surprise, shock, or concern.

Oh my

A shortened, more casual version of 'Oh my goodness,' expressing surprise or concern.

Good heavens

A more emphatic and slightly more formal expression of surprise or shock.

Well I never

An expression of surprise and disbelief, often used in response to unexpected news.

I say

An old-fashioned interjection expressing surprise or mild shock.

Heavens to Betsy

A somewhat old-fashioned and folksy expression of surprise or dismay.

Lord have mercy

A religious expression of shock, distress, or supplication.

That's a surprise

A direct and neutral statement expressing surprise at something unexpected.

FAQs

What does "deary me" mean?

"Deary me" is an interjection used to express surprise, dismay, or mild concern. It's similar to saying "oh dear" or "my goodness".

How can I use "deary me" in a sentence?

You can use "deary me" to express a reaction to something unexpected or unfortunate. For example, "Deary me, I seem to have misplaced my keys again!"

Is "deary me" an old-fashioned expression?

While still understood and used, "deary me" can sound somewhat old-fashioned or quaint compared to more common expressions like "oh dear" or "good heavens".

What are some alternatives to saying "deary me"?

Alternatives to "deary me" include "oh dear", "my goodness", "good heavens", or simply "oh my", depending on the context and the level of formality you wish to convey.