evaluate
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to determine or set the value or amount of; appraise.
to evaluate property.
-
to judge or determine the significance, worth, or quality of; assess.
to evaluate the results of an experiment.
-
Mathematics. to determine or calculate the numerical value of (a formula, function, relation, etc.).
verb
-
to ascertain or set the amount or value of
-
to judge or assess the worth of; appraise
-
maths logic to determine the unique member of the range of a function corresponding to a given member of its domain
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
evaluatornoun
-
evaluableadjective
-
evaluativeadjective
-
reevaluateverb (used with object)
-
evaluationnoun
-
misevaluateverb (used with object)
-
nonevaluativeadjective
-
unevaluatedadjective
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
has evaluatedperfect 3rd person singular
-
have evaluatedperfect
-
has been evaluatingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
is evaluatingprogressive 3rd person singular
-
are evaluatingprogressive
-
have been evaluatingperfect progressive
-
evaluatessingular 3rd person
-
am evaluatingprogressive 1st person singular
-
evaluatingparticiple
Past
-
had evaluatedperfect
-
was evaluatingprogressive singular
-
had been evaluatingperfect progressive
-
were evaluatingprogressive plural
-
evaluatedparticiple
-
evaluatedsimple
Future
Etymology
Origin of evaluate
First recorded in 1835–45; back formation from evaluation
Explanation
When you evaluate something, you're making a judgment, one that most likely results from some degree of analysis. Breaking down the nutritional pros and cons of dessert options is evaluating. Diving into a tub of Ben and Jerry's because you have a craving is not. The word evaluate was used as a mathematics term before it became part of standard usage. Thus, its wonky connotation of objectivity.
Vocabulary lists containing evaluate
Tier 2 Words for the SBAC ELA Items
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Vocabulary of the Common Core
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
To address this issue, Mody trains APCs in paracervical blocks and is currently conducting three studies to further evaluate the procedure’s effectiveness.
From Slate • Jun. 7, 2026
While the military does not enforce or evaluate religious belief, its internal classification systems help determine how resources are allocated and how chaplain support is structured across bases and deployments.
From Salon • Jun. 6, 2026
A larger Phase 2 study is planned to evaluate immune responses in a broader and more diverse group of participants and to confirm the vaccine's ability to generate strong, wide ranging protection.
From Science Daily • Jun. 5, 2026
Employers are also changing how they evaluate workers.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026
It would have been nice to debrief with someone, to evaluate whether what was presented might provide a basis for a stay.
From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
