anything more formal than "dear"?

[roberta78]

Hi, is there anything more formal than "dear" to start a letter with? an expression, a word? thank you

[tunapizza]

I think that you would use 'dear' in all letters, even formal ones. If you start with 'Dear Sir/Madam' you should end with 'Yours faithfully' and if you start with 'Dear Mr.../Miss...' then you should end with 'Yours Sincerely'

[roberta78]

that's what i thought but here in the office they keep insisting there must be a different way..something like "eminent" or similar..but it sounds to me really out of line..it's 2 much! tnx though

[gonghai]

well i think dear is the most formal. but its umm kind of outdated in my opinion becasue its not so popular anymore.

i prefer to, instead of dear.

well dear just make it sound so distant. as if i am writing to someone i am not too close to

i hope you get what i mean

[Tdol]

It depends; there are some very formal things like 'Your Excellency' for a letter to an ambassador, but these are very specific cases.