Dictionary

dearie en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /ˈdɪɹi/ General American, mirror–nearer merger
• /ˈdiɹe/ (Scotland)
• /ˈdɪəɹi/ (Australia, Received-Pronunciation)
• /ˈdiɹi/ (US) without the mirror–nearer merger
• /ˈdiɹɪ/ (Scotland)
• /ˈdɪɚi/ (US) without the mirror–nearer merger
• (Southern-England) audio
• /ˈdiəɹi/ (New-Zealand)
• /ˈdɛːɹi/ East Anglia, cheer–chair merger

Etymology

From dear + -ie.

Meanings

1. (colloquial, term-of-address) A person who is dear; sweetie.
   • What a scare you gave me, dearie. 1923, Ernest Bramah [pseudonym; Ernest Brammah Smith], “(please specify the page)”, in The Eyes of Max Carrados, London: Grant Richards, →OCLC:
   • At the mention of money Mrs Dibble was overcome with great debility, and wheezed, "I don't feel up to talking about money, matters just now, dearie. I think I better have a bit of a doze." 1950, Norman Lindsay, Dust or Polish?, Sydney: Angus and Robertson, page 43:

Forms