evaluative

American  

[i-val-yoo-ayt-uhv, i-val-yoo-uht-uhv] / ɪˈvæl yuˌeɪt əv, ɪˈvæl yu ət əv /

adjective

1. relating to, involving, or used in evaluation.

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evaluative British  

/ ɪˈvæljʊətɪv /

adjective

1. of, denoting, or based on an act of evaluating

2. philosophy expressing an attitude or value judgment; emotive

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Other Word Forms

• evaluatively
  adverb
• non-evaluative
  adjective
• self-evaluative
  adjective

Explanation

To be evaluative is to consider or judge something carefully. Find yourself deeply contemplating whether the new polka dot paint job really brightened up your kitchen? Then you are looking at those dots with an evaluative eye. At the core of the word evaluative is value. When you judge something, you are determining its value — like the value of a mathematical equation. Though both value and the related verb evaluate have some place in math classes, you will more often encounter evaluative in situations that call for critical thinking and judgment. So you will probably want to rewrite the boring ending before an editor turns her evaluative pen on it!

Example Sentences

"The Ministry of Commerce, along with relevant departments, will conduct an evaluative investigation into this acquisition," spokesman He Yadong said in a press conference on Thursday.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 8, 2026

“The Ministry of Commerce, along with relevant departments, will conduct an evaluative investigation into this acquisition,” spokesman He Yadong said in a press conference on Thursday.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 8, 2026

The 21-year-old sociology major supports a growing trend in higher education of professors giving evaluative feedback rather than A through F grades, especially to first-year undergraduate and graduate students.

From Washington Times • Apr. 4, 2023

“Story lines matter, but the truth is with front-office change came a different evaluative process,” said Craig Waibel, who was promoted in November to general manager and chief soccer officer to replace Lagerwey.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 25, 2023

We tend to think about groups in negative terms, and when you're making evaluative judgments about things, they tend to be dualistic, black-and-white and unequivocal.

From Salon • Sep. 12, 2022