Word
assess
Phoneticsas·sess, stress on the second syllable
US/əˈsɛs/
UK/ɐsˈɛs/
Definitions
01to evaluate or judge
B2 · Upper Intermediate Academic
v. to carefully judge the quality, importance, or value of something.
v. to evaluate or estimate the nature, quality, or ability of someone or something. Transitive — requires a direct object.
日本語:評価する※
“The teacher needs to assess the students' progress before the final exam.”
“The committee spent several weeks trying to assess the long-term environmental impact of the proposed hydroelectric dam project.”
Usage
Often used in academic and professional contexts when a formal judgment is required.
02to calculate value or tax
C1 · Advanced Law Formal · Technical
v. to calculate the amount of tax or money that someone must pay.
v. to estimate the value of property for taxation purposes or to calculate the amount of a tax or fine.
日本語:査定する※
“The city will assess the value of the house to decide the property tax.”
“The local authorities will assess the damage to the infrastructure before determining the total cost of the repairs.”
Usage
Commonly used in legal or financial contexts involving property and government revenue.
03to impose a fine
C1 · Advanced Law Formal
v. to officially make someone pay a fine or a penalty.
v. to impose a fine, tax, or other financial charge on a person or entity.
“The court decided to assess a heavy fine against the company for polluting the river.”
“The regulatory body has the power to assess penalties against any firm found to be in breach of safety protocols.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “assess” in context.
Verb
01. accurately assess
“It is difficult to accurately assess the damage caused by the storm so soon.”
adv + verb
02. assess by
“The candidates will be assessed by a panel of three independent experts.”
verb + prep
03. assess change
“Researchers used satellite imagery to assess change in the polar ice caps.”
verb + noun
04. assess consequence
“We need to assess the consequence of every decision we make regarding the budget.”
verb + noun
05. assess degree
“The survey aims to assess the degree of satisfaction among our customers.”
verb + noun
06. assess difference
“The study was conducted to assess the difference between the two teaching methods.”
verb + noun
07. assess effect
“Scientists are trying to assess the effect of the new drug on the immune system.”
verb + noun
08. assess extent
“It is hard to assess the extent of the problem without more data.”
verb + noun
09. assess impact
“The government will assess the impact of the new tax on small businesses.”
verb + noun
10. assess importance
“The committee will assess the importance of each proposal before voting.”
verb + noun
11. assess performance
“The annual review is a time for managers to assess the performance of their staff.”
verb + noun
12. assess potential
“The scouts visited the game to assess the potential of the young players.”
verb + noun
Real-World Examples
“In T-levels there has been an improvement, although their newness makes this year’s results harder to assess or compare.” “Teachers are asked to measure both what students learned and how students worked with a single grade – separate factors that might not be possible to assess with one single score.” “He sees the SAT as a way to assess where students might need extra help.” “He could not say however how much these payments would be or how those costs would be assessed.” Etymology
From Middle English assessen, from Old French assesser, from Medieval Latin assessare, originally the frequentative of Latin assessus, past participle of assidēre, from ad (“to, towards, at”) + sedeō (“sit; settle down”). Cognate with Spanish asentar (“to settle”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0