value judgment

American  

noun

1. an estimate, usually subjective, of the worth, quality, goodness, evil, etc., of something or someone.

---

value judgment British  

noun

1. a subjective assessment based on one's own code of values or that of one's class

---

value judgment Cultural  

1. An assessment of a person, situation, or event. The term is often restricted to assessments that reveal the values of the person making the assessment rather than the objective realities of what is being assessed.

---

Discover More

We often make value judgments without realizing that we are doing so. For example, a teacher who describes a student as “the best I've ever taught — very polite and obedient” is making a value judgment about the qualities (politeness and obedience) that make a student good.

Etymology

Origin of value judgment

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

That isn’t a value judgment on Mr. Musk, his businessesb or wealth.

From Barron's • Dec. 23, 2025

The title of Ross Douthat’s podcast is characteristically absent of a value judgment.

From Slate • Oct. 7, 2025

“I just don’t think there is any substitute for watching the games and making a value judgment based on what your eyes tell you,” said King, who works for NBC Sports.

From New York Times • Jan. 11, 2024

Within them, there is not a value judgment on them.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 15, 2023

Value as established, Dewey continues, must be taken into consideration in making a value judgment.

From John Dewey's logical theory by Howard, Delton Thomas