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Synonyms

assess

American  
[uh-ses] / əˈsɛs /

verb (used with object)

  1. to estimate officially the value of (property, income, etc.) as a basis for taxation.

  2. to fix or determine the amount of (damages, a tax, a fine, etc.).

    The hurricane damage was assessed at six million dollars.

    Synonyms:
    adjust, appraise
  3. to impose a tax or other charge on.

  4. to estimate or judge the value, character, etc., of; evaluate.

    to assess one's efforts.

    Synonyms:
    appraise

assess British  
/ əˈsɛs /

verb

  1. to judge the worth, importance, etc, of; evaluate

  2. (foll by at) to estimate the value of (income, property, etc) for taxation purposes

    the estate was assessed at three thousand pounds

  3. to determine the amount of (a fine, tax, damages, etc)

  4. to impose a tax, fine, etc, on (a person or property)

"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

  • assessable adjective
  • overassess verb (used with object)
  • reassess verb (used with object)
  • unassessable adjective
  • unassessed adjective
  • well-assessed adjective

Etymology

Origin of assess

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English assessen, from Old French assesser, from Medieval Latin assessāre “to assess a tax,” derivative of Latin assessus “seated beside (a judge)” (past participle of assidēre ), equivalent to as- “toward” + sed- (stem of sedēre “to sit”) + -tus past participle suffix; as-, sit 1

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.

It also assessed a program that reaches an entire state, reflecting a broader and more diverse population than most guaranteed income studies.

From Science Daily

"It could also help advance personalized treatment options by allowing doctors to monitor a patient's biomarker levels daily or weekly to assess drug efficacy, rather than waiting months for imaging results."

From Science Daily

She was asked by reporters whether she assessed her two completed competitions as two silvers won or two golds lost.

From Barron's

But the team asked Harp to assess - by looking at their style and exterior - if these properties were likely to have been built during a period when Flaming Alamos had been on sale.

From BBC

Police initially assessed the death as "non-suspicious" and a "death report" was submitted on that basis.

From BBC