What does "evaluate" mean?

1. (to assess or judge) to carefully judge the quality, importance, or value of something. 2. (to calculate a value) to find the numerical answer or result of a mathematical problem or computer command.

How do you use "evaluate"?

Often used with adverbs like 'carefully', 'thoroughly', or 'objectively'. In computing, an expression is said to 'evaluate to' a specific value.

evaluate

US //iˈvæɫjuˌeɪt// UK //ɪvˈæljuːˌeɪt// eval·u·ate

1 to assess or judge (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

to carefully judge the quality, importance, or value of something.

to determine the significance, worth, or condition of something by careful appraisal and study. Transitive — requires a direct object.

Example

The committee needs to evaluate all the job applications before making a final decision.

Example

The researchers spent several months evaluating the long-term impact of the new policy on local businesses before publishing their findings.

Usage

Often used with adverbs like 'carefully', 'thoroughly', or 'objectively'.
- assess
- appraise
- judge
- rate
- ignore
- neglect
2 to calculate a value (v.)
C1 Advanced Technical Math

to find the numerical answer or result of a mathematical problem or computer command.

to calculate the numerical value of an expression or to execute a command to return a result. Can be used transitively for the action or intransitively for the result.

Example

You need to evaluate the expression inside the brackets first.

Example

The software is designed to evaluate complex algorithms in real-time, providing immediate feedback to the engineering team.

Usage

In computing, an expression is said to 'evaluate to' a specific value.

Origin

Back-formation from evaluation.