The difference between Dear and Precious

When used as nouns, dear means a very kind, loving person, whereas precious means someone (or something) who is loved.

When used as adverbs, dear means dearly, whereas precious means very.

When used as adjectives, dear means high in price, whereas precious means of high value or worth.

Dear is also interjection with the meaning: indicating surprise, pity, or disapproval.

Dear is also verb with the meaning: to endear.

check bellow for the other definitions of Dear and Precious

Dear as an adjective (generally, _, dated):

High in price; expensive.

Examples:

"The dearer the jewel, the greater the love expressed."
Dear as an adjective:

Loved; lovable.
Dear as an adjective:

Loving, affectionate, heartfelt

Examples:

"Such dear embrace tenderly comforts even in this dear sorrow."
Dear as an adjective:

Precious to or greatly valued by someone.

Examples:

"The dearer the giver, the dearer the trinket he brings!"
Dear as an adjective:

Examples:

"'Dear Sir/Madam/Miss, please notice our offices will be closed during the following bank holidays:nb...."
Dear as an adjective:

Examples:

"My dear friend, I feel better as soon as you come sit beside my sickbed!"
Dear as an adjective:

Examples:

"My dear boy, if your grades don't pick up I won't bounce you on but over my knee!"
Dear as an adjective (obsolete):

Noble.

Dear as a noun:

A very kind, loving person.

Examples:

"My cousin is such a dear, always drawing me pictures."
Dear as a noun:

A beloved person.
Dear as a noun:

An affectionate, familiar term of address, such as used between husband and wife.

Examples:

"Pass me the salt, would you dear?"

Dear as an adjective:

Severe, or severely affected; sore.
Dear as an adjective (obsolete):

Fierce.

Examples:

"The Christens found the heathens dear, as the lion doth the bear."

Precious as an adjective:

Of high value or worth.

Examples:

"The crown had many precious gemstones. This building work needs site access, and tell the city council that I don't care about a few lorry tyre ruts across their precious grass verge."
Precious as an adjective:

Regarded with love or tenderness.

Examples:

"My precious daughter is to marry."
Precious as an adjective (pejorative):

Treated with too much reverence.

Examples:

"He spent hours painting the eyes of the portrait, which his fellow artists regarded as a bit precious."
Precious as an adjective (pejorative):

Contrived to be cute or charming.

Precious as an adverb:

Very;

Examples:

"There is precious little we can do."

"precious few pictures of him exist"