value

1 of 3

noun

val·​ue ˈval-(ˌ)yü 

1

: the monetary worth of something : market price

2

: a fair return or equivalent in goods, services, or money for something exchanged

3

: relative worth, utility, or importance

a good value at the price

the value of base stealing in baseball

had nothing of value to say

4

: something (such as a principle or quality) intrinsically valuable or desirable

sought material values instead of human values

—W. H. Jones

5

: a numerical quantity that is assigned or is determined by calculation or measurement

let x take on positive values

a value for the age of the earth

6

: the relative duration of a musical note

7

a

: relative lightness or darkness of a color : luminosity

b

: the relation of one part in a picture to another with respect to lightness and darkness

8

: denomination sense 2

valueless

ˈval-(ˌ)yü-ləs 

-yə-

adjective

valuelessness noun

value

2 of 3

verb

valued; valuing

transitive verb

1

: to consider or rate highly : prize, esteem

values your opinion

2

a

: to estimate or assign the monetary worth of : appraise

value a necklace

b

: to rate or scale in usefulness, importance, or general worth : evaluate

valuer

ˈval-yə-wər 

noun

value

3 of 3

adjective

: of, relating to, or being a brand of inexpensive products marketed as an alternative to other, more expensive brands

consumers choosing between premium brands and value brands

As the economic downturn set in, value products have been "legitimized," leading rich and poor alike to buy them.

—Andrea Felsted

Synonyms

Noun

• valuation
• worth

Verb

• appreciate
• cherish
• love
• prize
• treasure

Choose the Right Synonym for value

estimate, appraise, evaluate, value, rate, assess mean to judge something with respect to its worth or significance.

estimate implies a judgment, considered or casual, that precedes or takes the place of actual measuring or counting or testing out.

estimated the crowd at two hundred

appraise commonly implies the fixing by an expert of the monetary worth of a thing, but it may be used of any critical judgment.

having their house appraised

evaluate suggests an attempt to determine relative or intrinsic worth in terms other than monetary.

evaluate a student's work

value equals appraise but without implying expertness of judgment.

a watercolor valued by the donor at $500

rate adds to estimate the notion of placing a thing according to a scale of values.

a highly rated restaurant

assess implies a critical appraisal for the purpose of understanding or interpreting, or as a guide in taking action.

officials are trying to assess the damage

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

Examples of value in a Sentence

Noun

The company's stock continues to decline in value.

Real estate prices have doubled in value over the last decade.

The difference in value between the two currencies is not significant.

You may exchange the item for something of equal value.

We sold the home for less than its full value.

an increase in the value of the dollar

The home has a value of $1,000,000.

Property values tend to rise as interest rates fall.

The store advertises great values.

No one can deny the value of a good education.

Verb

She values the time she spends with her family.

The items are highly valued by collectors.

The herbs are valued for their medicinal properties.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Discovery took massive, multi-billion dollar hits this summer to write down the value of their cable assets. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 20 Nov. 2024

The Ginori 1735 homeware brand upholds many of the values of timeless Italian beauty and is held near and dear by many global style setters today. —Benedetta Rossi, Architectural Digest, 20 Nov. 2024

Verb

That Respects Cultural Differences Building a unique company culture that values diverse backgrounds is key. —Expert Panel®, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024

The fall cut Target’s market capitalization by $15.7 billion, leaving the company’s outstanding shares to be valued at a total of $56.2 billion. —Evan Clark, WWD, 20 Nov. 2024

Adjective

Techno-optimists appear to ignore the fact that these tools are value neutral; there is nothing inherently pro-democratic about them. —Ian Bremmer, Foreign Affairs, 21 Oct. 2010

Ask them to look at their daily, repetitive tasks or those that are a non-value add. —Steve Smith, Forbes, 20 Sep. 2021

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, "worth, high quality," borrowed from Anglo-French, noun derivative from feminine of valu (going back to Vulgar Latin *valūtus), past participle of valer, valeir "to be worth, have value," going back to Latin valēre "to be well, have strength" — more at wield

Verb

Middle English valuen, borrowed from Anglo-French valuer "to estimate, be worth," verbal derivative of value value entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Adjective

1986, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing value

• absolute value
• actual cash value
• at face value
• book value
• breakup value
• characteristic value
• counter-value
• critical value
• entertainment value
• expected value
• face value
• fair market value
• market value
• mean value theorem
• nominal value
• no-par-value
• of value
• par value
• place a high value on
• place value
• present value
• P value
• R-value
• sentimental value
• shock value
• snob value
• surplus value
• taken/accepted at face value
• truth-value
• U-value
• value-added
• value-added tax
• value for money
• value-free
• value judgment

Kids Definition

value

1 of 2 noun

val·​ue ˈval-yü 

1

: a fair return in goods, services, or money for something exchanged

2

: the amount of money something is worth

3

: worth, utility, or importance in comparison with something else

4

: a numerical quantity that is assigned or is found by calculation or measurement

find the value of x

5

: the length of time a musical note is to be held

6

: the lightness or darkness of a color

7

: something (as a belief) that is valuable or desirable

valueless

-yü-ləs 

-yə-

adjective

value

2 of 2 verb

valued; valuing

1

: to estimate the worth of

was valued at $200

2

: to think highly of

values your advice

valuer

-yə-wər

noun

Legal Definition

value

1 of 2 noun

val·​ue ˈval-yü 

1

a

: a fair return or equivalent in goods, services, or money for something exchanged

received good value for the price

b

: valuable consideration at consideration

2

: monetary worth

especially : market value

valueless adjective

value

2 of 2 transitive verb

valued; valuing

: to estimate or determine the monetary value of