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

• appreciator noun
• appreciatingly adverb
• 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

“It’s just complete disbelief,” said Cain, 48, who works in forensics and had come to appreciate Kirk and his style of debating political issues.

From Los Angeles Times

Despite the show skipping over some of the moral quandaries that arise from dating a pair of brothers, she appreciates how it deals with significant issues.

From BBC

"I wish I had understood everyone else was terrified, and that they appreciate it when you go up to them and say hi."

From BBC

If a person were looking for a reason to root for Charlie Sheen again, as so many will, they might appreciate his admission of shame, a rare halo in this time of shamelessness.

From Salon

So meeting someone who appreciated music with fewer than 100 beats per minute felt like a revelation.

From Los Angeles Times

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.