DictionaryAI

appreciate

verb
uh-PREE-shee-ayt/əˈpɹiː.ʃi.eɪt/

Formsappreciates, appreciating, appreciated

4 meanings of appreciate

Practice

  1. 1
    valueverbtransitive
    To recognize the worth or value of something.

    Critics appreciate the novel for its careful structure.

    She came to appreciate the quiet beauty of the desert.

    Similarvalue, esteem

    Oppositeundervalue, underrate, disparage, underestimate

  2. 2
    be thankfulverbtransitive
    To feel grateful or thankful for something someone has done or given.

    We appreciate the time you took to explain everything.

    Volunteers said they appreciated the warm welcome they received.

    UsageYou appreciate something directly (appreciate your help, not incorrect: appreciate for your help); politely asking: I'd appreciate it if you could…

  3. 3
    understandverbtransitive
    To be fully aware of or understand the significance of something.

    Engineers appreciate the risks involved in tunneling through soft rock.

    Only later did she appreciate how much her mentor had taught her.

    UsageOften followed by a clause: appreciate that you are busy, appreciate how hard it is.

    Similarunderstand, realize, recognize, grasp, comprehend

    Oppositeoverlook, misunderstand

Less common meaning

  1. 4
    rise in priceverbtransitive or intransitive
    To rise in value, or to cause something, such as a currency, to rise in value.

    Property in the city center has appreciated steadily for a decade.

    Investors bought the bonds expecting the dollar to appreciate against the euro over the next year.

    UsageA currency appreciates against another; the opposite is depreciate.

    Similarincrease, rise, gain

    Oppositedepreciate

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of appreciate apart? Answer 4 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

The word entered English around 1645–55, from Medieval Latin appreciātus ("valued or appraised"), a later variant of Late Latin appretiātus, the past participle of appretiō. This came from ad ("toward") plus pretium ("price"), and is related to French apprécier and to English appraise and precious.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 7 facts