appreciate

verb

ap·​pre·​ci·​ate ə-ˈprē-shē-ˌāt  -ˈpri- 

 also  -ˈprē-sē-

appreciated; appreciating

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

She 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

I appreciate your kindness.

2

: to increase the value of

intransitive verb

: to increase in number or value

Your investment should appreciate over time.

appreciator

ə-ˈprē-shē-ˌā-tər 

-ˈpri-

 also  -ˈprē-sē-

noun

appreciatory

ə-ˈprē-shə-ˌtȯr-ē  ə-ˈpri-shə- 

adjective

Did you know?

Meanings of Appreciate

Some find it troubling that English is in a constant state of flux, while others take comfort in the in evolving nature of our language. To those in the latter camp, appreciate affords a welcome illustration of how shifts in meaning that were once considered vexatious may become commonly accepted. The grammarian Albert Ayres, writing in the 19th century, said of appreciate that “if any word in the language has cause to complain of ill-treatment, this one has.” Ayres believed the word could only mean what it originally meant, “to set a value on something,” and that its use in a sentence like “I appreciate him highly” was improper. Other self-appointed guardians of the language piled on additional complaints: Edmund Shaftesbury, in his 1897 The Book of Books, held that “Appreciate should not be used for increases in value.” Obviously, we have long since forgotten these quibbles – both senses of appreciate are used regularly, and nobody gives the matter a second thought.

Synonyms

• accelerate
• accumulate
• balloon
• boom
• build up
• burgeon
• bourgeon
• climb
• enlarge
• escalate
• expand
• gain
• increase
• mount
• multiply
• mushroom
• proliferate
• rise
• roll up
• snowball
• spread
• swell
• wax

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of appreciate in a Sentence

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

The company strives to make its employees feel appreciated.

Living in the city has taught me to appreciate the differences between people.

Those who appreciate fine wine will enjoy reading the restaurant's wine list.

I really appreciated the information you gave me.

Your help the other day was greatly appreciated.

The tiny creature contributes to its ecosystem in ways we are only just beginning to appreciate.

I don't think you appreciate the complexity of the situation.

I appreciate what the artist is trying to do, but I think the painting fails to do it.

Recent Examples on the Web

And yet, Barnes seemed rarely to have appreciated what anyone else saw in his collection. —Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 12 Mar. 2025

Robinhood Garcia said higher trading volumes on Robinhood’s platform aren’t enough to convince her that shares have room to appreciate. —Brian Evans, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2025

Plenty of Idaho ramen fans probably would appreciate that. —Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 12 Mar. 2025

Climbers will appreciate the sandstone cliffs and rock formations—a rarity in the state. —Casey Barber, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin appretiatus, past participle of appretiare, from Latin ad- + pretium price — more at price entry 1

First Known Use

1648, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1b

Phrases Containing appreciate

• would appreciate it

Rhymes for appreciate

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate

Kids Definition

appreciate

verb

ap·​pre·​ci·​ate ə-ˈprē-shē-ˌāt  ə-ˈprish-ē-ˌāt 

appreciated; appreciating

1

: to see the worth, quality, or significance of

appreciate the difference between right and wrong

2

: to admire highly

appreciates the artist's work

3

: to be fully aware of

must experience it to appreciate it

4

: to be grateful for

we appreciate your help

5

: to increase in number or value

savings appreciate over time

appreciation

ə-ˌprē-shē-ˈā-shən

-ˌprish-ē-

noun

appreciative

ə-ˈprē-shət-iv

-ˌprish-ət-

adjective

appreciatively adverb

appreciativeness noun

Etymology

from Latin appretiatus "having put a value on," derived from ap-, ad- "to" and pretium "price" — related to price

Legal Definition

appreciate

verb

ap·​pre·​ci·​ate ə-ˈprē-shē-ˌāt, -ˈpri-, -sē- 

appreciated; appreciating

transitive verb

1

: to judge or understand the significance of

incapable of appreciating the difference between right and wrong

—B. N. Cardozo

2

: to raise the market value of compare depreciate

intransitive verb

: to rise in market value

appreciation

ə-ˌprē-shē-ˈā-shən, -ˌpri-, -sē- 

noun