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Synonyms

appreciative

American  
[uh-pree-shuh-tiv, -shee-uh-, -shee-ey-] / əˈpri ʃə tɪv, -ʃi ə-, -ʃiˌeɪ- /

adjective

  1. feeling or showing appreciation.

    an appreciative audience at the concert.
appreciative British  
/ -ʃə-, əˈpriːʃɪətɪv /

adjective

  1. feeling, expressing, or capable of appreciation

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • appreciatively adverb
  • appreciativeness noun
  • nonappreciative adjective
  • nonappreciatively adverb
  • nonappreciativeness noun
  • overappreciative adjective
  • overappreciatively adverb
  • overappreciativeness noun
  • unappreciative adjective
  • unappreciatively adverb
  • unappreciativeness noun

Etymology

Origin of appreciative

First recorded in 1690–1700; appreciate + -ive

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.

While many Americans are still pessimistic about difficult challenges in their lives, their attitudes overall are hopeful and appreciative.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Beatles sound like they are genuinely appreciative, just not entirely sold on the need to express their thanks in this particular manner.

From Salon

As for the camp factor, many massive understatements in the script will trigger appreciative howls of laughter.

From The Wall Street Journal

Charlie is last seen alone on stage, performing a comedy set to an appreciative crowd, and the credits roll.

From The Wall Street Journal

"I don't think there was anyone in a Newcastle United shirt who didn't get fed and watered that night. They were just really appreciative that we were enjoying their city."

From BBC

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.