Cheap vs. Dear: What's the Difference?
Copy edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on September 27, 2023
Cheap and Dear refer to the cost of something; while "cheap" implies low cost, "dear" signifies high cost or value.
Key Differences
Cheap is a term that, in the context of pricing, refers to something that doesn't require much expenditure or is of low cost. Conversely, Dear, when discussing cost, denotes something that requires a considerable amount of money or is of high value.
In colloquial language, calling something "cheap" might imply that it's of lesser quality, lacking durability or craftsmanship. On the other hand, labeling something as "dear" could suggest that it holds significant importance or value to someone, either monetarily or sentimentally.
From an emotional standpoint, "cheap" can be used figuratively to describe someone who's stingy, miserly, or lacking in generosity. In stark contrast, "dear" can refer to someone or something cherished, beloved, or held in high regard, showcasing the depth of personal connection.
When we think of purchases, a "cheap" item might be enticing for those looking to save money, but there might be reservations about its longevity or performance. However, a "dear" item, with its connotations of high cost, might be seen as an investment or a luxury, indicating superior quality or desirability.
Beyond the financial and emotional contexts, "cheap" and "dear" can be used in various expressions and idioms. For instance, "talk is cheap" means actions are more meaningful than words, whereas "hold someone dear" means to deeply cherish or love someone.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Definition (Cost)
Low cost or expenditure.
High cost or value.
Quality Connotation
Possibly of lesser quality.
Indicative of high value or importance.
Emotional Association
Stingy or miserly.
Cherished or beloved.
Purchase Implication
Enticing due to low cost but possibly of questionable longevity.
Seen as an investment or luxury; desirable.
Common Idioms
"Talk is cheap."
"Hold someone dear."
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Cheap and Dear Definitions
Cheap
Cheap (cost): Costing little money or less than expected.
I found a cheap flight to New York.
Dear
Dear (costly): Costing a lot; expensive.
That designer bag is too dear for me.
Cheap
Cheap (quality): Of lesser quality or inferior.
The cheap toy broke within days.
Dear
Dear (beloved): Loved or cherished.
My dear grandmother always told the best stories.
Cheap
Relatively low in cost; inexpensive or comparatively inexpensive.
Dear
Dear (polite address): A polite form of address.
Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to inquire about...
Cheap
Charging low prices
A cheap restaurant.
Dear
Loved and cherished
My dearest friend.
Cheap
Obtainable at a low rate of interest. Used especially of money.
Dear
Greatly valued; precious
Lost everything dear to them.
Cheap
Devalued, as in buying power
Cheap dollars.
Dear
Highly esteemed or regarded. Used in direct address, especially in salutations
Dear Lee Dawson.
Cheap
Achieved with little effort
A cheap victory.
Cheap laughs.
Dear
High-priced; expensive.
Cheap
Of or considered of small value
In wartime, when life was cheap.
Dear
Charging high prices.
Cheap
Of poor quality; inferior
A cheap toy.
Dear
Earnest; ardent
"This good man was a dear lover and constant practicer of angling" (Izaak Walton).
Cheap
Worthy of no respect; vulgar or contemptible
A cheap gangster.
Dear
(Obsolete) Noble; worthy.
Cheap
Stingy; miserly.
Dear
Heartfelt
It is my dearest wish.
Cheap
Inexpensively
Got the new car cheap.
Dear
Severe; grievous; sore
Our dearest need.
Cheap
(obsolete) Trade; traffic; chaffer; chaffering.
Dear
A person who is greatly loved. Often used as a form of address.
Cheap
(obsolete) A market; marketplace.
Dear
An endearing, lovable, or kind person
What a dear she is!.
Cheap
Price.
Dear
With fondness; affectionately.
Cheap
(obsolete) A low price; a bargain.
Dear
At a high cost
Sold their wares dear.
Cheap
Cheapness; lowness of price; abundance of supply. en
Dear
Used as a polite exclamation, chiefly of surprise or distress
Oh dear.
Dear me.
Cheap
Low and/or reduced in price.
Dear
(UK) High in price; expensive.
The dearer the jewel, the greater the love expressed.
Cheap
Of poor quality.
Dear
Loved; lovable.
Cheap
Of little worth.
Dear
Lovely; kind.
Cheap
Underhand or unfair.
The cheap trick of hiding deadly lava under pushable blocks
Dear
Loving, affectionate, heartfelt
Such dear embrace tenderly comforts even in this dear sorrow.
Cheap
Stingy; mean; excessively frugal.
Insurance is expensive, but don't be so cheap that you risk losing your home because of a fire.
Dear
Precious to or greatly valued by someone.
The dearer the giver, the dearer the trinket he brings!
Cheap
(finance) Trading at a price level which is low relative to historical trends, a similar asset, or (for derivatives) a theoretical value.
The ETF is trading cheap to NAV right now; we can arb this by buying the ETF and selling the underlying constituents.
Dear
A formal way to start (possibly after my) addressing somebody at the beginning of a letter, memo etc.
Dear Sir/Madam/Miss, please notice our offices will be closed during the following bank holidays:nb....
Cheap
To trade; traffic; bargain; chaffer; ask the price of goods; cheapen goods.
Dear
A formal way to start (often after my) addressing somebody one likes or regards kindly.
My dear friend, I feel better as soon as you come sit beside my sickbed!
Cheap
To bargain for; chaffer for; ask the price of; offer a price for; cheapen.
Dear
An ironic way to start (often after my) addressing an inferior.
My dear boy, if your grades don't pick up I won't bounce you on, but over my knee!
Cheap
To buy; purchase.
Dear
(obsolete) Noble.
Cheap
To sell.
Dear
Severe, or severely affected; sore.
Cheap
Cheaply.
Dear
(obsolete) Fierce.
The Christens found the heathens dear, as the lion doth the bear.
Cheap
A bargain; a purchase; cheapness.
The sack that thou hast drunk me would have bought me lights as good cheap at the dearest chandler's in Europe.
Dear
A very kind, loving person.
My little cousin is such a dear, always drawing me pictures.
Cheap
Having a low price in market; of small cost or price, as compared with the usual price or the real value.
Where there are a great sellers to a few buyers, there the thing to be sold will be cheap.
Dear
A beloved person.
Cheap
Of comparatively small value; common; mean.
You grow cheap in every subject's eye.
Dear
An affectionate, familiar term of address, such as used between husband and wife.
Pass me the salt, would you dear?
Cheap
Cheaply.
Dear
An elderly person, especially a woman.
Cheap
To buy; to bargain.
Dear
(obsolete) To endear.
Cheap
Relatively low in price or charging low prices;
It would have been cheap at twice the price
Inexpensive family restaurants
Dear
Dearly; at a high price.
Cheap
Tastelessly showy;
A flash car
A flashy ring
Garish colors
A gaudy costume
Loud sport shirts
A meretricious yet stylish book
Tawdry ornaments
Dear
(dated) Indicating surprise, pity, or disapproval.
Dear, dear! Whatever were they thinking?
Cheap
Of very poor quality
Dear
Bearing a high price; high-priced; costly; expensive.
The cheapest of us is ten groats too dear.
Cheap
Embarrassingly stingy
Dear
Marked by scarcity or dearth, and exorbitance of price; as, a dear year.
Cheap
Cheap (behavior): Stingy or miserly in nature.
Don't be cheap; tip the waiter generously.
Dear
Highly valued; greatly beloved; cherished; precious.
Neither count I my life dear unto myself.
And the last joy was dearer than the rest.
Dear as remember'd kisses after death.
Cheap
Cheap (figuratively): Lacking value or sincerity.
His apologies always felt cheap and insincere.
Dear
Hence, close to the heart; heartfelt; present in mind; engaging the attention.
[I'll] leave you to attend him: some dear causeWill in concealment wrap me up awhile.
His dearest wish was to escape from the bustle and glitter of Whitehall.
Cheap
Cheap (easily obtained): Easily achieved without effort.
His victory seemed cheap as he didn't face strong opponents.
Dear
Of disagreeable things and antipathies.
In our dear peril.
Would I had met my dearest foe in heavenOr ever I had seen that day.
Dear
A dear one; lover; sweetheart.
That kiss I carried from thee, dear.
Dear
Dearly; at a high price.
If thou attempt it, it will cost thee dear.
Dear
To endear.
Dear
A beloved person; used as terms of endearment
Dear
A sweet innocent mild-mannered person (especially a child)
Dear
Dearly loved
Dear
With or in a close or intimate relationship;
A good friend
My sisters and brothers are near and dear
Dear
Earnest;
One's dearest wish
Devout wishes for their success
Heartfelt condolences
Dear
Having a high price;
Costly jewelry
High-priced merchandise
Much too dear for my pocketbook
A pricey restaurant
Dear
With affection;
She loved him dearly
He treats her affectionately
Dear
At a great cost;
He paid dearly for the food
This cost him dear
Dear
Dear (highly valued): Held in high regard or esteem.
Time with family is dear to me.
Dear
Dear (grave or serious): With serious or grave implications.
The consequences of his actions were dear.
FAQs
Is something "cheap" always of poor quality?
No, but "cheap" can imply lesser quality in some contexts.
Can "Dear" refer to something expensive?
Yes, "dear" can denote something that is costly or of high value.
Does "Dear" always refer to monetary value?
No, "dear" can also mean cherished, beloved, or a polite form of address.
How is "dear" used in a letter?
It's a polite form of address, as in "Dear Sir/Madam."
Can "cheap" describe a person's behavior?
Yes, it can imply someone is stingy or miserly.
Does "cheap" always mean affordable?
Generally, but it can also refer to quality, value, or sincerity.
Can "cheap" refer to an easy victory?
Yes, if a victory required little effort, it might be called "cheap."
What's an idiom involving "cheap"?
"Talk is cheap" means actions speak louder than words.
Is "Dear" used in formal correspondence?
Yes, it's a common way to address recipients in letters.
What is the primary financial meaning of Cheap?
Referring to something of low cost or expenditure.
Is a "cheap thrill" costly?
No, it refers to simple pleasures that don't cost much or require effort.
How is "dear" related to emotions?
It can describe someone/something that is loved or cherished.
Can "dear" refer to seriousness?
Yes, as in the phrase "the cost was dear," meaning the consequences were serious.
Can "dear" be used endearingly?
Yes, as in addressing someone close to you: "my dear friend."
Between "cheap" and "dear," which has a broader emotional context?
"Dear" has a broader emotional context, from love to high regard to seriousness.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Copy edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
