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

Lehman, who has a staff of three but wrote the appraisals himself, can choose only a few major battles to fight in a short window. — Alex Nitkin, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026

In my experience, generic appraisal tools are never a good idea. — Michael Gargiulo, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Graziano argues the city appraisals did not use the proper methodology. — Joshua Ceballos, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026

Abbott’s plan includes a limit on local entities’ spending, requiring any tax increase have approval of two-thirds of voters, cap appraisals to no more than 3% and end public school districts’ reliance on homeowners’ property taxes for funding. — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Aug. 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