assess
Americanverb (used with object)
-
assesses,
present (3rd person singular)
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assessed,
past participle, past
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assessing
present participle
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to estimate officially the value of (property, income, etc.) as a basis for taxation.
-
to fix or determine the amount of (damages, a tax, a fine, etc.).
The hurricane damage was assessed at six million dollars.
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to impose a tax or other charge on.
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to estimate or judge the value, character, etc., of; evaluate.
to assess one's efforts.
- Synonyms:
- appraise
verb
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to judge the worth, importance, etc, of; evaluate
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(foll by at) to estimate the value of (income, property, etc) for taxation purposes
the estate was assessed at three thousand pounds
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to determine the amount of (a fine, tax, damages, etc)
-
to impose a tax, fine, etc, on (a person or property)
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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overassessverb (used with object)
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reassessverb (used with object)
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assessableadjective
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unassessableadjective
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unassessedadjective
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well-assessedadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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assesssimple
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assessessimple
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have assessedperfect
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has assessedperfect
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am assessingprogressive
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are assessingprogressive
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is assessingprogressive
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have been assessingperfect progressive
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has been assessingperfect progressive
Past
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assessedsimple
-
had assessedperfect
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was assessingprogressive
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were assessingprogressive
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had been assessingperfect progressive
Future
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; see as-, sit 1
Explanation
Before you try to sell your car, you should ask an expert to assess its value — once you know what it's worth, it's easier to find a fair price. When you assess a matter, you make a judgment about it. The verb assess has the general meaning of determining the importance or value of something. It also has a few specialized uses having to do with amounts of money, such as fines, fees, and taxes. It can mean to set the value of property for purposes of taxation, or to charge a person or business a tax or fee. Assess comes from Anglo-French usage, and is ultimately derived from the Latin verb assidēre, "to sit as a judge."
Vocabulary lists containing assess
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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.
See Examples For:
It is hoping that an agreed way forward can somehow be found through talks and it continues to assess whether the determination can be enforced.
From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026
New York Fed President John Williams sees one more rate increase this year but says officials have time to assess incoming inflation data.
From Barron's ● Sep. 29, 2026
The FAA will delay certification of Boeing’s 737 MAX 10 as regulators assess a new software glitch, according to the agency’s chief.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026
As part of a routine eye exam, ophthalmologists assess the eye’s cup-to-disc ratio.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 28, 2026
Still, no one interferes when she guides the trio into an examination room to assess their injuries.
From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins
"The National Intelligence Service currently assesses that Kim Ju Ae is being groomed as the successor and understands she has a younger sibling of unknown gender," the agency said, reaffirming its conclusion on succession.
From Barron's ● Sep. 10, 2026
The local county assesses the property at $176,000.
From Salon ● Sep. 5, 2026
Shares of Meta Platforms have seen choppy trading on Wednesday as Wall Street assesses the implications of the social-media company’s settlement in a closely watched legal battle over child safety.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 26, 2026
An algorithm then assesses the answers to identify students at risk of becoming homeless.
From BBC ● Aug. 23, 2026
There are four parts: an obstacle course that assesses your physical condition, a written tactics exam, a test of weapons proficiency, and a simulated combat situation in the Block.
From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins
Wilson was assessed a technical foul for unsportsmanlike conduct.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 30, 2026
They initially assessed that the co-pilot tried to deliberately crash the plane, people familiar with the matter said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2026
Wilson was assessed a technical foul and the fan was removed from their seat.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 30, 2026
The programme would allow them to be assessed within 75 days, provided they meet requirements around certain standards and fund the additional supply of water and energy.
From BBC ● Sep. 28, 2026
When schools were first assessed under the state’s guidelines, the district scored near the bottom of state rankings.
From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove
The basic logic underpinning his thinking is that the more people who own and use bitcoin, the greater the adoption of its network, which can provide a base for assessing its value.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 28, 2026
Indonesia’s central bank kept interest rates unchanged Wednesday, assessing the impact of rupiah-support measures as currency risks flared again.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 23, 2026
A duty scientist assumes responsibility for assessing the incoming data.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 22, 2026
They are assessing whether they're healthy and have the behavioural potential to survive in the wild.
From BBC ● Sep. 22, 2026
“So don’t think that I’m callous. But that girl was probably scared out of her mind, certainly not capable of assessing situations cleverly at the time, if she was ever able to do so.”
From "Insurgent" by Veronica Roth
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.
