appreciative
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of appreciative
First recorded in 1690–1700; appreciate + -ive
Explanation
If you do a friend a favor, your friend will probably be appreciative, meaning grateful. Use appreciative to describe words and actions that are positive, either out of gratitude or respect. If you know that appreciation is a type of respect and admiration, then you won't be surprised by the meanings of appreciative. Children should be appreciative of everything their parents do to take care of them. We can also say a positive review is appreciative, showing that the critic likes and appreciates the subject of the review. Appreciative words and gestures are always positive and respectful.
Vocabulary lists containing appreciative
ACT Reading Test: Words to Capture Tone, List 2
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Bless Me, Ultima
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"Animal Snoops," Vocabulary from the informational text
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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.
Tsai felt similarly appreciative of the authorship she had over Sunny, a character who in other series might have been flattened into someone to root against.
From Salon • May 11, 2026
Richardson acknowledges the tremendous breakthroughs in myeloma care and is highly appreciative of them.
From Slate • Mar. 29, 2026
Hodgkinson still managed to salvage silverware from her challenging 2025 by making the world podium in Tokyo six months ago and is ultimately appreciative of the perspective that setback has given her.
From BBC • Mar. 22, 2026
At True/False, it finds a properly appreciative home.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 10, 2026
I gave an appreciative sniff as I walked past the sentries and entered the world of Listening Rock.
From Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles
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.
