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

"I've been watching her for about five years now and every year she has got a little bit better - I don't think people appreciate her enough. She's got quicker, she's got more consistent."

From BBC

“There’s no weather in space - no rain on your face and or wind in your hair. I appreciate those so much more to this day now,” she says, 33 years later.

From BBC

"We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding and cooperation."

From BBC

So forgive me if I clocked but didn’t appreciate the irony of Reed’s “I did this because you let me” lecture in “Heretic,” or its depiction of women in cages.

From Los Angeles Times

“We appreciate all the contributions of everyone at KFI, but we are excited about the future with the KFI team now being able to expand their resources and services.”

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.