value

1 of 3

noun

val·​ue ˈval-(ˌ)yü How to pronounce value (audio)
1
: the monetary worth of something : market price
2
: a fair return or equivalent in goods, services, or money for something exchanged
3
: relative worth, utility, or importance
a good value at the price
the value of base stealing in baseball
had nothing of value to say
4
: something (such as a principle or quality) intrinsically valuable or desirable
sought material values instead of human valuesW. H. Jones
5
: a numerical quantity that is assigned or is determined by calculation or measurement
let x take on positive values
a value for the age of the earth
6
: the relative duration of a musical note
7
a
: relative lightness or darkness of a color : luminosity
b
: the relation of one part in a picture to another with respect to lightness and darkness
8
valueless adjective
valuelessness noun

value

2 of 3

verb

valued; valuing

transitive verb

1
: to consider or rate highly : prize, esteem
values your opinion
2
a
: to estimate or assign the monetary worth of : appraise
value a necklace
b
: to rate or scale in usefulness, importance, or general worth : evaluate
valuer noun

value

3 of 3

adjective

: of, relating to, or being a brand of inexpensive products marketed as an alternative to other, more expensive brands
consumers choosing between premium brands and value brands
As the economic downturn set in, value products have been "legitimized," leading rich and poor alike to buy them.Andrea Felsted
Choose the Right Synonym for value

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

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

Examples of value in a Sentence

Noun The company's stock continues to decline in value. Real estate prices have doubled in value over the last decade. The difference in value between the two currencies is not significant. You may exchange the item for something of equal value. We sold the home for less than its full value. an increase in the value of the dollar The home has a value of $1,000,000. Property values tend to rise as interest rates fall. The store advertises great values. No one can deny the value of a good education. Verb She values the time she spends with her family. The items are highly valued by collectors. The herbs are valued for their medicinal properties.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The state has instituted numerous new controls to try to thwart poaching, which has emerged as a major concern as the eels have increased in value. Patrick Whittle, Fortune, 15 Mar. 2024 Shares in the group have largely stagnated over the last seven years and the group ‘s market cap has declined by more than 4% in value over the last 12 months. Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 15 Mar. 2024 Lows in the upper 50s or low 60s, which is above average highs and near record values. Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2024 Stock grants included in tech industry compensation packages can turn into huge windfalls if a company’s value increases. Chris Stokel-Walker, WIRED, 14 Mar. 2024 There is no formula, scoring system or checklist in determining the news value of a life. Chris Kornelis, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2024 In the filing, Disney suggests that Lucasfilm has generated nearly $12 billion in value to the company. Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Mar. 2024 Wells Fargo has lowered its price target for the stock from $200 to $125, predicting another 25% decrease in value. Nicole Goodkind, CNN, 14 Mar. 2024 Seeing the story that others are missing by reporting what so often gets overlooked: the values that connect us. Ira Porter, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Mar. 2024
Verb
Introduced in 1938, the de minimis exception was intended to facilitate the flow of small packages valued at no more than $5, the equivalent of about $106 today. Didi Tang, Fortune Asia, 4 Mar. 2024 Schumaker and the Marlins value Brujan’s versatility on defense enough to keep him as one of their options off the bench. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2024 In 2021 Reddit raised funds valuing it at $10 billion, and Bloomberg News reported the following year that the company could potentially have been valued as much as $15 billion in an IPO. Amy Or, Fortune, 2 Mar. 2024 Now, estates and lifetime gifts valued at $13.6 million are exempt. Jeff Sommer, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2024 With an earnings multiple of 30, Uber would be valued at $208 billion by 2028. Gurufocus, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Find clients who value you and don’t settle for anything less. Sarah Jenkins, Rolling Stone, 29 Feb. 2024 He's also been a guest judge on Shark Tank, is the current co-owner of the Minnesota teams, Timberwolves and Lynx, and the president of A-Rod Corp, his investment firm valued at $1 billion. Gillian Telling, Peoplemag, 29 Feb. 2024 All told, this cosmetology fund is valued at $500,000. Adrienne Gibbs, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024
Adjective
Ask them to look at their daily, repetitive tasks or those that are a non-value add. Steve Smith, Forbes, 20 Sep. 2021 Without adjustment for inflation, the 2022 total ex-value total is among the highest in Alaska history, but adjustments for inflation bring that total down to about the median for the harvests reported since 1975, the Fish and Game report said. Yereth Rosen, Anchorage Daily News, 12 Nov. 2022 Indeed, many non-value, discretionary retailers also are expanding in 2021. Bryan Pearson, Forbes, 7 Apr. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'value.' 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

Noun

Middle English, "worth, high quality," borrowed from Anglo-French, noun derivative from feminine of valu (going back to Vulgar Latin *valūtus), past participle of valer, valeir "to be worth, have value," going back to Latin valēre "to be well, have strength" — more at wield

Verb

Middle English valuen, borrowed from Anglo-French valuer "to estimate, be worth," verbal derivative of value value entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Adjective

1986, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of value was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near value

Cite this Entry

“Value.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/value. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

value

1 of 2 noun
val·​ue ˈval-yü How to pronounce value (audio)
1
: a fair return in goods, services, or money for something exchanged
2
: the amount of money something is worth
3
: worth, utility, or importance in comparison with something else
4
: a numerical quantity that is assigned or is found by calculation or measurement
find the value of x
5
: the length of time a musical note is to be held
6
: the lightness or darkness of a color
7
: something (as a belief) that is valuable or desirable
valueless
-yü-ləs How to pronounce value (audio)
-yə-
adjective

value

2 of 2 verb
valued; valuing
1
: to estimate the worth of
was valued at $200
2
: to think highly of
values your advice
valuer
-yə-wər
noun

Legal Definition

value

1 of 2 noun
val·​ue ˈval-yü How to pronounce value (audio)
1
a
: a fair return or equivalent in goods, services, or money for something exchanged
received good value for the price
b
: valuable consideration at consideration
2
: monetary worth
especially : market value
valueless adjective

value

2 of 2 transitive verb
valued; valuing
: to estimate or determine the monetary value of

More from Merriam-Webster on value

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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