quite dear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "quite dear" is a valid phrase and can be used in written English.
It is generally used as a synonym for "very expensive" and can be used when referring to the cost of something. For example, "That watch was quite dear, costing me over $1,000."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

We were well beaten by the better team and we made mistakes that cost us quite dear".

The Guardian - Sport

Of the main plates, the best are moules marinières (quite dear at £19) and a duck confit (£16.50), both of which come with sautéed potatoes, frites or vegetables.

Independent

An older boy swapped me some books I had absolutely no interest in for an LP which was quite dear to me.

The Guardian - Books

Greene King has a history of buying quite dear but making the acquisitions work at the level of trading improvement (n.b. acquisition of Belhaven).

The Guardian - Business

She tells me that I'm quite "dear" to her, but she can't reciprocate all this "love," because of Kevin (not his real name), the not-quite-ex ex-boyfriend.

The New Yorker

Although slow to panic, I admitted my fear That gift-giving day was indeed drawing near, And then in a vision -- a moment quite dear, The meaning of Christmas made itself clear.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

In Britain, where prices are increasing again, housing still looks expensive (if not quite as dear as in Australia).

The Economist

(The average Northeastern household that heats with these delivered fuels spent more than $2,300 last winter, according to Energy Department data. That new solar thermal system doesn't seem quite so dear by comparison).

The New York Times

Later that year, Beckett toughened his position: "I prefer those letters not to be republished and quite frankly, dear Alan, I do not want any of my letters to anyone to be published anywhere, either in the petit pendant or the long après".

The New Yorker

Dear, dear, dear.

Independent

Sierra Mannie, by now we've all read your really quite explosive "Dear White Gays: Stop Stealing Black Female Culture," and the white gay male blogosphere has given its really kind of inevitable reply: We agree.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "quite dear", consider the context to ensure it accurately reflects the intended degree of expensiveness or value. It works best when implying a noticeable but not outrageous cost.

Common error

Avoid using "quite dear" when referring to items or services that are exceptionally expensive. It's better suited for items that are noticeably but not prohibitively costly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite dear" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that it is somewhat expensive or precious. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a valid and grammatically correct expression.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "quite dear" is a valid and grammatically sound English phrase that means something is noticeably expensive or precious. As Ludwig AI notes, its primary use is in descriptive contexts, particularly within News & Media. While its register is generally neutral, it leans towards formality, making it suitable for various writing styles where a touch of sophistication is desired. When employing this phrase, it is wise to ensure the context accurately reflects the intended level of expensiveness, avoiding overstatement. Consider using alternatives like "rather expensive" or "considerably costly" for nuanced variations. Given its relative infrequency, "quite dear" can add a distinctive flair to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rather expensive

Emphasizes expense, similar to "quite dear", focusing on cost.

considerably costly

Highlights a significant cost, aligning with the high price implication of "quite dear".

noticeably pricey

Indicates that the high price is easily observed, similar to the emphasis in "quite dear".

remarkably high-priced

Draws attention to the unusually high cost, like "quite dear" but more emphatic.

markedly valuable

Shifts focus to value, though still implying cost; less direct than "quite dear".

appreciably valuable

Focuses more on the value aspect while suggesting something is significantly esteemed.

significantly treasured

Moves further from price, emphasizing sentimental or personal worth.

highly cherished

Emphasizes deep affection or importance, diverging from monetary value.

extremely precious

Stresses rarity and value, but more in a personal or emotional context.

exceptionally esteemed

Highlights high regard or respect, not necessarily related to monetary cost.

FAQs

What does "quite dear" mean?

"Quite dear" is an English idiom meaning something is fairly expensive or precious, often implying it is valued or costly to obtain.

What can I say instead of "quite dear"?

You can use alternatives like "rather expensive", "considerably costly", or "noticeably pricey" depending on the context.

Is "quite dear" formal or informal?

"Quite dear" is generally considered to be a somewhat formal or old-fashioned expression, suitable for neutral to slightly formal contexts.

How can I use "quite dear" in a sentence?

You might say, "The antique furniture was "quite dear", but its craftsmanship justified the price."