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appraise

uh-PRAYZ /əˈpreɪz/

verbB2GRESATACT

ProfessionalBusinessGeneral

To assess the value, quality, or significance of something, especially by a professional.

Implies an official, objective, and expert evaluation of monetary value or physical quality, rather than a casual opinion.

The story behind the word. Derived from the Late Latin 'appretiare,' which literally meant 'to put a price on.' Over centuries in Old French and Middle English, it evolved into our modern word for professional valuation.

Word relationships

evaluate: Evaluate is broader and can apply to performance or ideas, whereas appraise is heavily associated with monetary value.
assess: Assess often refers to taxes, fines, or damage, while appraise focuses on determining market value.

ignore: To pay no attention to or fail to evaluate entirely.

Commonly confused with

apprise: Apprise means to inform or tell, while appraise means to estimate the value of something.

Word family

appraisal (noun): An expert estimate of the value of something.
appraiser (noun): A person whose job is to estimate the value of goods or property.

Collocations

professionally appraise
appraise the value
appraise the damage

Example sentences

"The pawnbroker had to appraise the vintage diamond ring before offering a loan." An antique dealer evaluating a painting.
"The bank sent an independent inspector to appraise the property before finalizing the mortgage." Real estate transaction.

Memory hook

Think of 'praise' inside 'appraise.' When you appraise a rare item, you decide how much 'praise' (value) it deserves. Appraise has 'praise' (value) at its heart.

When not to use

Do not confuse with 'apprise', which means to inform or notify someone about something.

Fun facts

In the art world, a professional appraiser must remain completely neutral; taking a percentage of the item's value as a fee is considered a major ethical violation.