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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Most who signed are intimately involved with evaluating and overseeing extramural research grants. Calvin Woodward, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025 As with all equity investments, investors should carefully evaluate all options with a qualified investment professional before making any investment decision. Joel Shulman, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025 The Justice Department said lower courts are confused about how to evaluate multiple IQ tests when determining if a criminal can be executed. Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 7 June 2025 Pochettino questioned the team’s commitment and over his five camps has called in 59 players, many new, to evaluate and create competition for spots. Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 7 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for evaluate

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Evaluate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/evaluate. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.

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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