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

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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)

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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; 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."

Example Sentences

In other words, cruise ships almost definitely pose a high risk for infection, but it’s hard to assess exactly what that risk looks like in practice.

From Slate • May 16, 2026

The logs are now being monitored to assess their effectiveness in restoring the peatland.

From BBC • May 15, 2026

"The company continues to assess the earliest appropriate market window," Alary said in a statement to AFP.

From Barron's • May 15, 2026

While grade inflation has been an issue on college campuses for years, AI tools have made it even harder to assess the quality of students’ work.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 13, 2026

I stopped in the doorway of Room 130 for a minute, just taking it in so I could do like soldiers do before a battle: assess the enemy, formulate a plan, get armed, and attack.

From "Ida B" by Katherine Hannigan

Related Words

• appraise
• check
• determine
• estimate
• fix
• gauge
• judge
• weigh