evaluation
Americannoun
-
an act or instance of evaluating or appraising.
-
(especially in medicine) a diagnosis or diagnostic study of a physical or mental condition.
Other Word Forms
- misevaluation noun
- nonevaluation noun
- overevaluation noun
- reevaluation noun
- self-evaluation noun
Etymology
Origin of evaluation
From the French word évaluation, dating back to 1745–55. See e- 1, valuation
Compare meaning
How does evaluation compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
An evaluation is an appraisal of something to determine its worth or fitness. For example, before you start an exercise program, get a medical evaluation, to make sure you're able to handle the activity. At the heart of the noun evaluation is the root word value, which means "worth." So an evaluation is an examination to find the worth of something. We do this every day — maybe making an evaluation of the prices in a store to decide whether or not to shop there. We might get an appraisal of our property, which is an evaluation to determine its worth in preparation for taking out a mortgage. Evaluation is vital in planning our lives.
Vocabulary lists containing evaluation
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Florida's B.E.S.T. Common Suffixes: -ion, -tion, -ation
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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.
He could do the same type of player evaluation without the zig-zagging travel, much better for a father of four.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026
BBC Scotland News reported earlier this month that social value scoring would not be part of CMAL's evaluation and that "community benefits" would only be negotiated after a preferred bidder was named.
From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026
At least 28 people were taken to the hospital for evaluation after exposure, including seven emergency responders; one person was in critical condition on Wednesday afternoon, according to Kanawha County Commissioner Lance Wheeler.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026
Last February, a state evaluation committee chose the F-16s over rival bids from France for Rafale jets and Sweden for Gripens.
From Barron's • Apr. 22, 2026
“Two years ago, when you first brought Adiah to me at the age of ten for evaluation, I told you that I believed she could possibly be a gifted daraja if given proper training.”
From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray
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.
