evaluate

verb

eval·​u·​ate i-ˈval-yə-ˌwāt How to pronounce evaluate (audio)
-yü-ˌāt
evaluated; evaluating

transitive verb

1
: to determine or fix the value of
2
: to determine the significance, worth, or condition of usually by careful appraisal and study
evaluative adjective
evaluator noun
Choose the Right Synonym for evaluate

estimate, appraise, evaluate, value, rate, assess mean to judge something with respect to its worth or significance.

estimate implies a judgment, considered or casual, that precedes or takes the place of actual measuring or counting or testing out.

estimated the crowd at two hundred

appraise commonly implies the fixing by an expert of the monetary worth of a thing, but it may be used of any critical judgment.

having their house appraised

evaluate suggests an attempt to determine relative or intrinsic worth in terms other than monetary.

evaluate a student's work

value equals appraise but without implying expertness of judgment.

a watercolor valued by the donor at $500

rate adds to estimate the notion of placing a thing according to a scale of values.

a highly rated restaurant

assess implies a critical appraisal for the purpose of understanding or interpreting, or as a guide in taking action.

officials are trying to assess the damage

Examples of evaluate in a Sentence

We need to evaluate our options. evaluate a training program as effective
Recent Examples on the Web Last fall the Justice Department gave Advance Peace $2 million to partner with UC Berkeley to evaluate data from participating cities to determine how successful the model is. Sharon Coolidge, The Enquirer, 30 Oct. 2024 For health care companies, Sapien can evaluate revenue and visit trends across hundreds of clinics to provide actionable growth recommendations, Nachum said. Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2024 The founder said the program is evaluated by researchers from the University of California - Berkeley and that will be done in Milwaukee too. David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2024 The school uses a holistic approach to evaluating experiences, personal attributes and academic preparation in selecting applicants who most strongly align with the school’s mission, vision and values, the release states. Gael Langdon, arkansasonline.com, 29 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for evaluate 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'evaluate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from evaluation, from French évaluation, from Middle French evaluacion, from esvaluer to evaluate, from e- + value value

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of evaluate was in 1842

Dictionary Entries Near evaluate

Cite this Entry

“Evaluate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/evaluate. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

evaluate

verb
eval·​u·​ate i-ˈval-yə-ˌwāt How to pronounce evaluate (audio)
evaluated; evaluating
1
: to find the value of
evaluate a mathematical expression
2
: to decide the value or worth of after study
evaluate a new program
evaluation noun
evaluative adjective
evaluator noun

More from Merriam-Webster on evaluate

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