appreciation

[uh-pree-shee-ey-shuhn]

noun

1. gratitude; thankful recognition.

   They showed their appreciation by giving him a gold watch.

2. the act of estimating the qualities of things and giving them their proper value.

3. clear perception or recognition, especially of aesthetic quality.

   a course in art appreciation.

4. an increase or rise in the value of property, goods, etc.

5. critical notice; evaluation; opinion, as of a situation, person, etc.

6. a critique or written evaluation, especially when favorable.

appreciation

/ -sɪ-, əˌpriːʃɪˈeɪʃən /

noun

1. thanks or gratitude

2. assessment of the true worth or value of persons or things

3. perceptive recognition of qualities, as in art

4. an increase in value, as of goods or property

5. a written review of a book, etc, esp when favourable

Other Word Forms

• appreciational adjective
• nonappreciation noun
• overappreciation noun
• self-appreciation noun
• superappreciation noun
• unappreciation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of appreciation¹

First recorded in 1600–10; earlier appretiation, from French appréciation, from Late Latin appretiātiō “appraisal, valuation”; equivalent to appreciate + -ion

Example Sentences

“It’s an appreciation for things that are made well, that last a long time,” Lawlor said.

From Los Angeles Times

“And it just gave me a deeper appreciation for the people who throughout my life have done my hair,” she says.

From Los Angeles Times

The applause was more than appreciation for a movie.

From Los Angeles Times

“We were eating most often bakery bread rather than just commercial store-bought packaged bread, and he really had a great appreciation for it and wanted to model that for us,” Shalhoub says.

From Los Angeles Times

I’m all over the place in my film and TV appreciation.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• admiration 
• affection 
• awareness 
• commendation 
• enjoyment 
• esteem 
• knowledge 
• love 
• perception 
• realization 
• recognition 
• respect 
• sensitivity 
• sympathy 
• understanding