appraisal

noun

ap·​prais·​al ə-ˈprā-zəl 

: an act or instance of appraising something or someone

a damage appraisal

They gave us an honest appraisal of our chances.

especially : a valuation of property by the estimate of an authorized person

sought an appraisal of her jewelry

real estate appraisals

Synonyms of appraisal

• assessment
• evaluation
• appraisement

Examples of appraisal in a Sentence

the appraisal of some jewelry

I made a quick appraisal of the situation and decided to leave right away.

The book is an excellent appraisal of the influences that have shaped our government.

Recent Examples on the Web

The first step is to ask the lender to reconsider the value if the appraisal overlooked a recent sale or got the details wrong. — Gary Singer, Sun Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026

The property in the ad receives both the general homestead exemption and the exemption for veterans who are 100% disabled, according to the appraisal district website. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Oct. 2026

What unravels is a long overdue appraisal of one of this century’s greatest pop-rock bands. — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 26 Oct. 2026

Twenty-one-year-old Jean Antoine, a senior at Loyola Marymount University, offers a similar appraisal. — Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

appraise + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1698, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing appraisal

• self-appraisal

Rhymes for appraisal

• hazel
• nasal
• phrasal
• intranasal
• reappraisal

Kids Definition

appraisal

noun

ap·​prais·​al ə-ˈprā-zəl 

: an act or instance of appraising

Legal Definition

appraisal

noun

ap·​prais·​al ə-ˈprā-zəl 

: a valuation of property by the estimate of an authorized person: as

a

: the determination of the fair value of a corporation's stock by a judicial proceeding that a dissenting shareholder is usually entitled by statute to demand in a case of extraordinary corporate action (as a merger) see also dissent entry 1 sense 1

b

: the estimation of the value of real estate for the purpose of taxation, sale, or securing a mortgage

c

: the estimation of the value of damage done to property for the purpose of adjusting an insurance claim