appreciation

American  

[uh-pree-shee-ey-shuhn] / əˌpri ʃiˈeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. gratitude; thankful recognition.

   They showed their appreciation by giving him a gold watch.

2. the act of estimating the qualities of things and giving them their proper value.

3. clear perception or recognition, especially of aesthetic quality.

   a course in art appreciation.

4. an increase or rise in the value of property, goods, etc.

5. critical notice; evaluation; opinion, as of a situation, person, etc.

6. a critique or written evaluation, especially when favorable.

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appreciation British  

/ -sɪ-, əˌpriːʃɪˈeɪʃən /

noun

1. thanks or gratitude

2. assessment of the true worth or value of persons or things

3. perceptive recognition of qualities, as in art

4. an increase in value, as of goods or property

5. a written review of a book, etc, esp when favourable

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Other Word Forms

• appreciational adjective
• nonappreciation noun
• overappreciation noun
• self-appreciation noun
• superappreciation noun
• unappreciation noun

Etymology

Origin of appreciation

First recorded in 1600–10; earlier appretiation, from French appréciation, from Late Latin appretiātiō “appraisal, valuation”; equivalent to appreciate + -ion

Explanation

When you have an appreciation for something, you can see and truly understand its good qualities. One way to show your appreciation for a particularly wonderful musical performance is to give a standing ovation when it's over. A slightly different kind of appreciation is having good taste or the ability to see aesthetic beauty in something, like members of a wine appreciation group or the teacher of a music appreciation class. There's also the appreciation that means a rise in monetary value — you might refer to the appreciation of the value of a house, for example.

Example Sentences

Some of the women now denouncing their former Capitol Hill boss might read Mr. Trueman’s work with appreciation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

Both the Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings movies saw global appreciation for the fantasy world created by J.R.R.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

If they leave it three months, that’s OK, but the later they thank people, the less impact it will have, even if their notes are filled with the same gratitude and appreciation.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 13, 2026

And we share an appreciation for tofu, which he called a “gift from the heavens,” making my vegan heart skip a beat.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

What Daddy lacked in formal education, he made up for with his profound knowledge of and appreciation for the natural world.

From "Reaching for the Moon" by Katherine Johnson

Related Words

• admiration
• affection
• awareness
• commendation
• enjoyment
• esteem
• knowledge
• love
• perception
• realization
• recognition
• respect
• sensitivity
• sympathy
• understanding