evaluate

verb

eval·​u·​ate i-ˈval-yə-ˌwāt 

-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

i-ˈval-yə-ˌwā-tiv 

-yü-ˌā-

adjective

evaluator

i-ˈval-yə-ˌwā-tər 

-yü-ˌā-

noun

Synonyms

• appraise
• assess
• estimate
• guesstimate
• rate
• set
• valuate
• value

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

The incident occurred days before Wilhoite was set to fly to Indianapolis to help the coaching staff interview and evaluate draft prospects at the combine. —Nick Kosmider, The Athletic, 6 Mar. 2025

This accountability begins with transitioning diversity, equity and inclusion from aspirational goals to concrete, measurable objectives that can be tracked, evaluated and improved systematically. —Natalie Norfus, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025

Reexamine past passion projects and evaluate your spiritual connections. —Essence Lifestyle, Essence, 5 Mar. 2025

Take, for example, the idea of using AI to evaluate email responses from federal government employees outlining their weekly accomplishments. —Clare Duffy, CNN, 4 Mar. 2025

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

Phrases Containing evaluate

• re-evaluate
• self-evaluate

Rhymes for evaluate

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate

Kids Definition

evaluate

verb

eval·​u·​ate i-ˈval-yə-ˌwāt 

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

-ˌval-yə-ˈwā-shən 

noun

evaluative

-ˈval-yə-ˌwāt-iv 

adjective

evaluator

-ˌwāt-ər 

noun