- past tense form of appreciate.
- past participle of appreciate.
appreciated
Americanadjective
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regarded or received with thankfulness.
The spa vouchers made a much appreciated gift for the new moms.
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highly valued or esteemed.
At the conference we get to network, make friends, and feel like an appreciated part of a vibrant community of researchers.
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perceived and understood; recognized.
The relationships between increased urbanization and decreased infection rates are still inadequately appreciated.
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increased in value.
For most of the society, the appreciated currency just makes it harder to pay off debt.
Transferring appreciated securities to our charitable foundation is an excellent way to support breakthrough research while avoiding the capital gains tax.
verb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of appreciated
First recorded in 1750–60; appreciat(e) ( def. ) + -ed 2 ( def. ), for the adjective senses; appreciat(e) ( def. ) + -ed 1 ( def. ), for the verb sense
Explanation
Things that are appreciated are completely understood, and usually welcomed. If you're fully aware of how risky it is to wrestle alligators, you could say it's an appreciated danger. You might think you look extra cute in your new pink bicycle helmet, but it also has the appreciated benefit of protecting your skull when you're riding. A slightly different meaning of appreciated is "received with gratitude," so your thank you note to your Aunt Emily could say, "The hand-knitted leg warmers were much appreciated!" And if someone talks about an appreciated stock, they mean that it has increased in value.
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.
Some grantors, for instance, will lock in gains by “freezing” them and substituting the appreciated amount with cash or bonds—or even what amounts to an IOU.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 21, 2026
Martin said he appreciated the meeting going ahead, telling the prime minister: "I think your sense of duty shines through."
From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2026
Feeling like your generosity is not being reciprocated or even appreciated is frustrating.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 17, 2026
That team also incorporated Apple’s highly rated chips in its Mac computers, one of its less appreciated but more consequential accomplishments of recent years.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 9, 2026
Moss appreciated the silence, mostly because his head was full.
From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro
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.
