appreciate

[uh-pree-shee-eyt]

verb (used with object)

appreciated, appreciating 

1. to be grateful or thankful for.

   They appreciated his thoughtfulness.

2. to value or regard highly; place a high estimate on.

   to appreciate good wine.

3. to be fully conscious of; be aware of; detect.

   to appreciate the dangers of a situation.

4. to raise in value.

verb (used without object)

appreciated, appreciating 

1. to increase in value.

   Property values appreciated yearly.

appreciate

/ əˈpriːʃɪˌeɪt, -sɪ- /

verb

1. to feel thankful or grateful for

   to appreciate a favour

2. (may take a clause as object) to take full or sufficient account of

   to appreciate a problem

3. to value highly

   to appreciate Shakespeare

4. (usually intr) to raise or increase in value

Other Word Forms

• appreciatingly adverb
• appreciator noun
• self-appreciating adjective
• unappreciating adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of appreciate¹

First recorded in 1645–55; from Medieval Latin appreciātus “valued, appraised,” from Late Latin appretiātus, past participle of appretiāre “to appraise” (equivalent to Latin ap- ap- ¹ + preti(um) price + -ātus -ate ¹ )

Word History and Origins

Origin of appreciate¹

C17: from Medieval Latin appretiāre to value, prize, from Latin pretium _price

Example Sentences

“And,” he added, “we have a populist president who appreciates that.”

From Salon

It said it appreciated its decision was a "huge disappointment to all those involved not least the brave women and children who are at the heart of this review".

From BBC

Through the somber perspective of time, he’s better able to appreciate those eccentric customs of his grandmother that he found weird when he was a first-generation American kid just trying to fit in.

From Los Angeles Times

“I never want to be without it, but I’m realistic that it deserves to be appreciated by more than just myself,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

He said: "This is the correct decision and I also appreciate Jamie Hepburn reaching out following his resignation to personally apologise to me for his behaviour."

From BBC

Related Words

• admire 
• adore 
• applaud 
• cherish 
• enjoy 
• honor 
• like 
• love 
• relish 
• respect 
• savor 
• think highly of www.thesaurus.com
• treasure 
• value 

When To Use

What are other ways to say appreciate?

To appreciate something is to value or regard it highly. How is appreciate different from esteem, value, and prize? Learn more on Thesaurus.com.