evaluate
Americanverb (used with object)
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evaluates,
present (3rd person singular)
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evaluated,
past participle, past
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evaluating
present participle
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to determine or set the value or amount of; appraise.
to evaluate property.
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to judge or determine the significance, worth, or quality of; assess.
to evaluate the results of an experiment.
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Mathematics. to determine or calculate the numerical value of (a formula, function, relation, etc.).
verb
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to ascertain or set the amount or value of
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to judge or assess the worth of; appraise
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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
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evaluationnoun
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evaluatornoun
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misevaluateverb (used with object)
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reevaluateverb (used with object)
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evaluableadjective
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evaluativeadjective
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nonevaluativeadjective
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unevaluatedadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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evaluatesimple
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evaluatessimple
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have evaluatedperfect
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has evaluatedperfect
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am evaluatingprogressive
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are evaluatingprogressive
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is evaluatingprogressive
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have been evaluatingperfect progressive
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has been evaluatingperfect progressive
Past
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evaluatedsimple
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had evaluatedperfect
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was evaluatingprogressive
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were evaluatingprogressive
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had been evaluatingperfect progressive
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
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Vocabulary of the Common Core
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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.
See Examples For:
The votes were part of a broader, multiyear process to evaluate and potentially make changes to California’s network of marine protected areas.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 19, 2026
The AI platform would generate answers to Weis’ prompts, which Weis would then evaluate and then try to improve.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 17, 2026
These individuals often lack the financial expertise to evaluate the assets held by these funds, or the means to absorb significant losses from these risky investments.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 13, 2026
Further research would be needed to evaluate any potential medical applications.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 11, 2026
When the superintendent of Saint Elizabeth’s, Dr. William White, went to Paul’s cell to evaluate her mental health, she was expecting the worst.
From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling
State Farm evaluates each claim based on the facts and the coverage purchased and, when a loss is covered, pays the benefits available under the policy, he said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026
ChatGPT-maker OpenAI said Thursday that it has fired three researchers for allegedly mishandling "sensitive information" and violating company policies, including work that involved an external organization that evaluates artificial intelligence models.
From Barron's ● Oct. 2, 2026
“Kaiser Permanente continually evaluates how we organize our work and deploy resources to help ensure high-quality care remains affordable and accessible for our members and patients,” the health plan said Tuesday in a statement.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 29, 2026
This year, the news organization introduced a metric that evaluates graduates’ earnings within majors.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 22, 2026
First off, I don’t go through the line for anything, to avoid that vulnerable moment of coming out into the lunchroom, that moment when every head lifts and evaluates: friend, enemy, or loser.
From "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson
Proofpoint evaluated building similar capabilities internally or forming a commercial partnership with Varonis, but Dhawan said management concluded it needed a full acquisition to respond effectively to AI-driven shifts.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026
Participants then evaluated how conscious or aware each character seemed to be of its surroundings.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 14, 2026
A John Wayne Airport spokesperson said Barr was taken to a nearby hospital to be evaluated.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026
Year: 2025 Compiled by: Dan Kois and Rebecca Onion Of note: Was evaluated on the record by picture-book creators Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen.
From Slate ● Oct. 7, 2026
Mr. Fabian writes on the board: Multiplication and Division are always evaluated before Addition and Subtraction.
From "Muffled" by Jennifer Gennari
The Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office said it was evaluating its options.
From Salon ● Oct. 17, 2026
To carry out the implementation, the city has added new positions focused on checking whether properties are second homes, as well as evaluating appeals.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 14, 2026
Such tools could be valuable for evaluating drug safety and detecting biological markers associated with disease.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 13, 2026
No one was injured in the attack, Yandex said, adding that emergency services were at the site and the company was evaluating ways to restore operations.
From Barron's ● Oct. 11, 2026
Coach was trying out different combinations of players, and although he didn’t say it, he was evaluating who was going to be a starter for sure.
From "All American Boys" by Jason Reynolds
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
