First Known Use: 1655
Dictionary
appreciate
verb ap·pre·ci·ate \ə-ˈprē-shē-ˌāt, -ˈpri- also -ˈprē-sē-\
: to understand the worth or importance of (something or someone) : to admire and value (something or someone)
: to be grateful for (something)
—used to make a polite request
ap·pre·ci·at·edap·pre·ci·at·ing
Full Definition of APPRECIATE
transitive verb
1
a : to grasp the nature, worth, quality, or significance of <appreciate the difference between right and wrong> b : to value or admire highly <appreciates our work> c : to judge with heightened perception or understanding : be fully aware of <must see it to appreciate it> d : to recognize with gratitude <certainly appreciates your kindness>
2
: to increase the value of
intransitive verb
: to increase in number or value
— ap·pre·ci·a·tor \-ˌā-tər\ noun
— ap·pre·cia·to·ry \-ˈprē-shə-ˌtȯr-ē, -ˈpri-shə-\ adjective
See appreciate defined for English-language learners
See appreciate defined for kids
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Examples of APPRECIATE
- Given that scarcity and the anticipated growth of high-end wine consumption in the United States, they believe the value of quality vineyards will appreciate significantly. —Daniel Sogg, Wine Spectator, 15 June 2008
- The true carnivores in your life will appreciate this gloriously formidable slab of USDA prime meat. Is it worth the equally hefty price? Absolutely. Lobel's dry ages it for six weeks and always ships it fresh-no frozen mystery bricks here-and regardless of how you like your steak done, this porterhouse cooks up beautifully, retains its juices, and delivers rich, buttery flavor. —Kate Fox, Saveur, December 2006
- As a married, working woman in her mid-30s who's planning on eventually having children, I truly appreciated reading “Mommy Madness.” Over the years, I have observed peers with their children, and have inquired about what parenthood is really like. —Amy Booth, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2005
- I think often of the quiet rigor of my former life. I did not even fully appreciate how much it costs to rent an apartment on the open market. —Martha Southgate, The Fall of Rome, 2002
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Origin of APPRECIATE
Late Latin appretiatus, past participle of appretiare, from Latin ad- + pretium price — more at price
Related to APPRECIATE
Synonym Discussion of APPRECIATE
appreciate, value, prize, treasure, cherish mean to hold in high estimation. appreciate often connotes sufficient understanding to enjoy or admire a thing's excellence <appreciates fine wine>. value implies rating a thing highly for its intrinsic worth <values our friendship>. prize implies taking a deep pride in something one possesses <Americans prize their freedom>. treasure emphasizes jealously safeguarding something considered precious <a treasured memento>. cherish implies a special love and care for something <cherishes her children above all>.
synonyms see in addition understand
Rhymes with APPRECIATE
abbreviate, abominate, accelerate, accentuate, accommodate, acculturate, accumulate, adjudicate, adulterate, affiliate, agglomerate, alienate, alleviate, alliterate, amalgamate, ameliorate, amyl nitrate, annihilate, annunciate, anticipate, apostolate, appropriate, approximate, arpeggiate, articulate, asphyxiate, assassinate, asseverate, assimilate, associate, at any rate, attenuate, authenticate, barbiturate, bicarbonate, calumniate, capacitate, capitulate, catholicate, certificate, coagulate, coelenterate, collaborate, commemorate, commiserate, communicate, compassionate, concatenate, conciliate, confabulate, confederate, conglomerate, congratulate, consolidate, contaminate, cooperate, coordinate, corroborate, deactivate, debilitate, decapitate, decelerate, decerebrate, deconcentrate, deconsecrate, decorticate, decrepitate, de-escalate, defibrinate, defoliate, degenerate, deliberate, delineate, demodulate, denominate, depopulate, depreciate, deracinate, deregulate, desegregate, desiderate, detoxicate, devaluate, diaconate, dilapidate, discriminate, disintegrate, disseminate, dissimulate, dissociate, domesticate, effectuate, ejaculate, elaborate, electroplate, eliminate, elucidate, emaciate, emancipate, emasculate, encapsulate, enumerate, enunciate, episcopate, equivocate, eradicate, etiolate, evacuate, evaluate, evaporate, eventuate, eviscerate, exacerbate, exaggerate, exasperate, excited state, excogitate, excoriate, exfoliate, exhilarate, exonerate, expatiate, expatriate, expectorate, expostulate, expropriate, extenuate, exterminate, extrapolate, facilitate, felicitate, fish or cut bait, garrison state, gesticulate, habilitate, habituate, hallucinate, humiliate, hydrogenate, hypothecate, illuminate, impersonate, inactivate, inaugurate, incarcerate, incinerate, incorporate, incriminate, indoctrinate, inebriate, infatuate, infuriate, ingratiate, ingurgitate, initiate, inoculate, inseminate, insinuate, instantiate, intercalate, interpolate, interrelate, interrogate, intimidate, intoxicate, invalidate, investigate, invigorate, irradiate, Italianate, Korea Strait, lanceolate, legitimate, luxuriate, mandarinate, manipulate, matriarchate, matriculate, Merthiolate, necessitate, negotiate, noncandidate, obliterate, officiate, Orange Free State, orientate, originate, oxygenate, participate, particulate, patriarchate, patriciate, perambulate, peregrinate, perpetuate, pontificate, precipitate, predestinate, predominate, prefabricate, premeditate, preponderate, prevaricate, procrastinate, prognosticate, proliferate, propitiate, proportionate, quadruplicate, quintuplicate, reciprocate, recriminate, recuperate, redecorate, reduplicate, reeducate, refrigerate, regenerate, regurgitate, reincarnate, reintegrate, reiterate, rejuvenate, remunerate, repatriate, repudiate, resuscitate, retaliate, reticulate, revaluate, reverberate, scholasticate, second estate, self-flagellate, self-immolate, self-pollinate, seventy-eight, sextuplicate, Singapore Strait, sophisticate, subordinate, substantiate, syllabicate, tergiversate, transliterate, triangulate, vanity plate, variegate, vaticinate, vituperate, vociferate
APPRECIATED Defined for Kids
appreciate
verb ap·pre·ci·ate \ə-ˈprē-shē-ˌāt\
ap·pre·ci·at·edap·pre·ci·at·ing
Definition of APPRECIATE for Kids
1
: to be grateful for <We appreciate your help.>
2
: to admire greatly and with understanding <He appreciates poetry.>
3
: to be fully aware of <I appreciate how important this is.>
4
: to increase in number or value <Your investment should appreciate in time.>
Synonym Discussion of APPRECIATE
appreciate, treasure, and cherish mean to think very much of something. appreciate is used when a person understands and enjoys the true worth of something. <I can appreciate good music.> treasure is often used of something of great sentimental value that is thought of as precious and is kept in a safe place. <Parents treasure gifts that their children make.> cherish is used when a person loves and cares for something very much and often for a long time. <We cherished their friendship for many years.>
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