appraisal

noun

ap·​prais·​al ə-ˈprā-zəl 

: an act or instance of appraising something or someone

a damage appraisal

They gave us an honest appraisal of our chances.

especially : a valuation of property by the estimate of an authorized person

sought an appraisal of her jewelry

real estate appraisals

Synonyms

• assessment
• evaluation
• appraisement

Examples of appraisal in a Sentence

the appraisal of some jewelry

I made a quick appraisal of the situation and decided to leave right away.

The book is an excellent appraisal of the influences that have shaped our government.

Recent Examples on the Web

Emblematic of second-wave feminism, the series earned consistent positive critical and awards appraisal, earning 29 Emmys throughout its seven-season run and cementing itself as among the crème de la crème of TV offerings then and now. —Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 20 Sep. 2025

The store offers appraisal and gold buy services too. —Jessica Peralta, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025

Yes, that’s too low, as appraisals often are, especially for people hoping to keep taxes low. —Asia Alexander, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025

Woolard in 2006 was indicted for conspiring with a Kansas City charter school president in a mortgage and investment fraud scheme that used fake loan documents, inflated appraisals and a sham housing project to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from investors. —Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

appraise + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1698, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing appraisal

• self-appraisal

Rhymes for appraisal

• hazel
• nasal
• phrasal
• intranasal
• reappraisal

Kids Definition

appraisal

noun

ap·​prais·​al ə-ˈprā-zəl 

: an act or instance of appraising

Legal Definition

appraisal

noun

ap·​prais·​al ə-ˈprā-zəl 

: a valuation of property by the estimate of an authorized person: as

a

: the determination of the fair value of a corporation's stock by a judicial proceeding that a dissenting shareholder is usually entitled by statute to demand in a case of extraordinary corporate action (as a merger) see also dissent entry 1 sense 1

b

: the estimation of the value of real estate for the purpose of taxation, sale, or securing a mortgage

c

: the estimation of the value of damage done to property for the purpose of adjusting an insurance claim