English Reference

Word

appreciate

Phoneticsap·pre·ci·ate

US/əˈpɹiʃiˌeɪt/

UK/ɐpɹˈiːʃɪˌeɪt/

Definitions

01to be thankful

B1

v. to be grateful for something someone has done for you.

v. to express or feel gratitude for a service, gift, or gesture. Transitive — requires a direct object.

“I really appreciate your help with the heavy boxes this morning.”

“The department head wrote a formal letter to appreciate the team's tireless efforts during the merger transition.”

Pitfall

I appreciate for your help.

I appreciate your help.

Do not use 'for' after appreciate. The verb takes the object directly.

Synonyms

thankbe grateful for

02to value something

B2

v. to recognize the good qualities of someone or something.

v. to recognise the quality, value, or significance of something through aesthetic or intellectual judgment.

“You need to visit the gallery to truly appreciate the detail in these paintings.”

“While many found the film's pacing too slow, critics were quick to appreciate the director's nuanced use of silence and shadow.”

Antonyms

undervaluedisregard

03to understand

B2

v. to understand how serious or important a situation is.

v. to be fully aware of or to understand the nature, implications, or magnitude of a situation.

“I appreciate that this is a difficult time for your family.”

“The board failed to appreciate the scale of the logistical challenges involved in expanding the franchise into overseas markets.”

Formal

04to increase in value

C1

v. to grow in value over a period of time.

v. to increase in price or value, especially over a sustained period. Often used intransitively.

“The value of their house has appreciated significantly since they bought it.”

“Investors typically seek assets that are expected to appreciate at a rate higher than inflation over the next decade.”

Academic · Technical

Usage

Commonly used in financial contexts regarding property, stocks, or currency.

Synonyms

Antonyms

depreciatelose value

Etymology

Originated 1645–55; from Medieval Latin appreciātus (“valued or appraised”), later variant of Late Latin appretiātus (“appraised”), the perfect passive participle of appretiō (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from a(d) (“toward”) + preti(um) (“price”) + -ō (first conjugation verb-forming suffix). Cognate to French apprécier. Latin root also origin of English appraise, which has various Romance cognates; see also precious.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Collocations

appreciate benefitappreciate importancegenerally appreciate

Word family

appreciateVerbappreciativeAdjective

Related words

This entry

Level
B1 · Intermediate
Frequency
Common
Updated

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English Reference