English Reference

Word

assessing

Phoneticsas·sess·ing

US/əˈsɛsɪŋ/

UK/ɐsˈɛsɪŋ/

Definitions

01judging or evaluating

B2

v. looking at something carefully to decide how good, strong, or valuable it is.

v. evaluating or estimating the nature, ability, or quality of someone or something. Transitive — requires an object being evaluated.

“The teachers are currently assessing the students' work to see who needs extra help.”

“The committee is currently assessing the environmental impact of the proposed highway before granting final approval for construction.”

Academic

Usage

Often followed by a noun phrase or a 'how' clause.

Synonyms

evaluatingappraisingjudging

02calculating a cost

C1 · Law

v. calculating the exact amount of something, like a tax, a fine, or a value.

v. calculating or estimating the price or value of something, often for official tax or legal purposes.

“The city is assessing the value of all the houses in this neighborhood for tax purposes.”

“The insurance adjuster spent several hours assessing the damage to the property to determine the total payout for the claim.”

Formal · Technical

Usage

Commonly used in legal, insurance, and real estate contexts.

03the process of evaluation

B2

n. the process of testing or checking someone's progress.

n. the act or process of assessment; the systematic collection and analysis of data to improve student learning or organizational performance.

“Continuous assessing throughout the year helps students stay on track with their goals.”

“The university's shift toward continuous assessing has reduced the immense pressure traditionally associated with final examinations.”

Academic

Real-World Examples

“As a result, ESG scores have become an important measure for investors assessing risk.”
Phys.org · 20 Aug 2026
“Other related questions include assessing how long mental health effects last and who is most likely to benefit from birding, and when.”
The Conversation · 27 Jul 2026

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency
Frequent
Updated

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/assessing

English Reference