Dictionary

appreciate

verb ap·pre·ci·ate \ə-ˈprē-shē-ˌāt, -ˈpri- also -ˈprē-sē-\

: to understand the worth or importance of (something or someone) : to admire and value (something or someone)

: to be grateful for (something)

—used to make a polite request

ap·pre·ci·at·edap·pre·ci·at·ing

Full Definition of APPRECIATE

transitive verb
1
a :  to grasp the nature, worth, quality, or significance of <appreciate the difference between right and wrong>
b :  to value or admire highly <appreciates our work>
c :  to judge with heightened perception or understanding :  be fully aware of <must see it to appreciate it>
d :  to recognize with gratitude <certainly appreciates your kindness>
2
:  to increase the value of
intransitive verb
:  to increase in number or value
ap·pre·ci·a·tor \-ˌā-tər\ noun
ap·pre·cia·to·ry \-ˈprē-shə-ˌtr-ē, -ˈpri-shə-\ adjective
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Examples of APPRECIATE

  1. Given that scarcity and the anticipated growth of high-end wine consumption in the United States, they believe the value of quality vineyards will appreciate significantly. —Daniel Sogg, Wine Spectator, 15 June 2008

Origin of APPRECIATE

Late Latin appretiatus, past participle of appretiare, from Latin ad- + pretium price — more at price
First Known Use: 1655

Synonym Discussion of APPRECIATE

appreciate, value, prize, treasure, cherish mean to hold in high estimation. appreciate often connotes sufficient understanding to enjoy or admire a thing's excellence <appreciates fine wine>. value implies rating a thing highly for its intrinsic worth <values our friendship>. prize implies taking a deep pride in something one possesses <Americans prize their freedom>. treasure emphasizes jealously safeguarding something considered precious <a treasured memento>. cherish implies a special love and care for something <cherishes her children above all>.
synonyms see in addition understand

Rhymes with APPRECIATE

abbreviate, abominate, accelerate, accentuate, accommodate, acculturate, accumulate, adjudicate, adulterate, affiliate, agglomerate, alienate, alleviate, alliterate, amalgamate, ameliorate, amyl nitrate, annihilate, annunciate, anticipate, apostolate, appropriate, approximate, arpeggiate, articulate, asphyxiate, assassinate, asseverate, assimilate, associate, at any rate, attenuate, authenticate, barbiturate, bicarbonate, calumniate, capacitate, capitulate, catholicate, certificate, coagulate, coelenterate, collaborate, commemorate, commiserate, communicate, compassionate, concatenate, conciliate, confabulate, confederate, conglomerate, congratulate, consolidate, contaminate, cooperate, coordinate, corroborate, deactivate, debilitate, decapitate, decelerate, decerebrate, deconcentrate, deconsecrate, decorticate, decrepitate, de-escalate, defibrinate, defoliate, degenerate, deliberate, delineate, demodulate, denominate, depopulate, depreciate, deracinate, deregulate, desegregate, desiderate, detoxicate, devaluate, diaconate, dilapidate, discriminate, disintegrate, disseminate, dissimulate, dissociate, domesticate, effectuate, ejaculate, elaborate, electroplate, eliminate, elucidate, emaciate, emancipate, emasculate, encapsulate, enumerate, enunciate, episcopate, equivocate, eradicate, etiolate, evacuate, evaluate, evaporate, eventuate, eviscerate, exacerbate, exaggerate, exasperate, excited state, excogitate, excoriate, exfoliate, exhilarate, exonerate, expatiate, expatriate, expectorate, expostulate, expropriate, extenuate, exterminate, extrapolate, facilitate, felicitate, fish or cut bait, garrison state, gesticulate, habilitate, habituate, hallucinate, humiliate, hydrogenate, hypothecate, illuminate, impersonate, inactivate, inaugurate, incarcerate, incinerate, incorporate, incriminate, indoctrinate, inebriate, infatuate, infuriate, ingratiate, ingurgitate, initiate, inoculate, inseminate, insinuate, instantiate, intercalate, interpolate, interrelate, interrogate, intimidate, intoxicate, invalidate, investigate, invigorate, irradiate, Italianate, Korea Strait, lanceolate, legitimate, luxuriate, mandarinate, manipulate, matriarchate, matriculate, Merthiolate, necessitate, negotiate, noncandidate, obliterate, officiate, Orange Free State, orientate, originate, oxygenate, participate, particulate, patriarchate, patriciate, perambulate, peregrinate, perpetuate, pontificate, precipitate, predestinate, predominate, prefabricate, premeditate, preponderate, prevaricate, procrastinate, prognosticate, proliferate, propitiate, proportionate, quadruplicate, quintuplicate, reciprocate, recriminate, recuperate, redecorate, reduplicate, reeducate, refrigerate, regenerate, regurgitate, reincarnate, reintegrate, reiterate, rejuvenate, remunerate, repatriate, repudiate, resuscitate, retaliate, reticulate, revaluate, reverberate, scholasticate, second estate, self-flagellate, self-immolate, self-pollinate, seventy-eight, sextuplicate, Singapore Strait, sophisticate, subordinate, substantiate, syllabicate, tergiversate, transliterate, triangulate, vanity plate, variegate, vaticinate, vituperate, vociferate
APPRECIATED Defined for Kids

appreciate

verb ap·pre·ci·ate \ə-ˈprē-shē-ˌāt\
ap·pre·ci·at·edap·pre·ci·at·ing

Definition of APPRECIATE for Kids

1
:  to be grateful for <We appreciate your help.>
2
:  to admire greatly and with understanding <He appreciates poetry.>
3
:  to be fully aware of <I appreciate how important this is.>
4
:  to increase in number or value <Your investment should appreciate in time.>

Synonym Discussion of APPRECIATE

appreciate, treasure, and cherish mean to think very much of something. appreciate is used when a person understands and enjoys the true worth of something. <I can appreciate good music.> treasure is often used of something of great sentimental value that is thought of as precious and is kept in a safe place. <Parents treasure gifts that their children make.> cherish is used when a person loves and cares for something very much and often for a long time. <We cherished their friendship for many years.>

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