appreciate

[ uh-pree-shee-eyt ]

verb (used with object)

, ap·pre·ci·at·ed, ap·pre·ci·at·ing.

1. to be grateful or thankful for:

   They appreciated his thoughtfulness.

2. to value or regard highly; place a high estimate on:

   to appreciate good wine.

3. to be fully conscious of; be aware of; detect:

   to appreciate the dangers of a situation.

4. to raise in value.

verb (used without object)

, ap·pre·ci·at·ed, ap·pre·ci·at·ing.

1. to increase in value:

   Property values appreciated yearly.

appreciate

/ əˈpriːʃɪˌeɪt; -sɪ- /

verb

1. to feel thankful or grateful for

   to appreciate a favour

2. may take a clause as object to take full or sufficient account of

   to appreciate a problem

3. to value highly

   to appreciate Shakespeare

4. usually intr to raise or increase in value

Derived Forms

• apˈpreciˌator, noun

Other Words From

• ap·pre·ci·at·ing·ly adverb
• ap·pre·ci·a·tor noun
• self-ap·pre·ci·at·ing adjective
• un·ap·pre·ci·at·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of appreciate¹

First recorded in 1645–55; from Medieval Latin appreciātus “valued, appraised,” from Late Latin appretiātus, past participle of appretiāre “to appraise” (equivalent to Latin ap- ap- ¹ + preti(um) price + -ātus -ate ¹ )

Word History and Origins

Origin of appreciate¹

C17: from Medieval Latin appretiāre to value, prize, from Latin pretium price

Example Sentences

“Making this announcement isn’t something that anybody wants to do, and I appreciate it will have a very significant impact on our employees,” said Lisa Brankin, managing director of Ford of Britain and Ireland.

From BBC

As a professional flower seller, he appreciates his customers, “but our typical client is not adventurous,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

The reason many of its shows work is that audiences appreciate the authenticity of local storytelling.

From Los Angeles Times

Democrats could do worse than listening to someone who’s won a pair of tough races and speaks a language rural voters appreciate and understand.

From Los Angeles Times

You said that making “Wicked” made you appreciate your face more.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• admire
• adore
• applaud
• cherish
• enjoy
• honor
• like
• love
• relish
• respect
• savor
• think highly of
• treasure
• value

When To Use

What are other ways to say appreciate?

To appreciate something is to value or regard it highly. How is appreciate different from esteem, value, and prize? Learn more on Thesaurus.com.