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

• appraisement
• assessment
• estimate
• estimation
• evaluation
• fix
• judgment
• judgement
• value judgment

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 appraisal district’s phone hours will stay on the standard 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. schedule. —Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Apr. 2025

Now Warning Issued To All iPhone Users Cory Booker Breaks Record With 25-Hour Speech Blasting Trump Florida Special Elections: Republicans Win Gaetz And Waltz’s Seats Administrative Bloat Faces A Reckoning A candid appraisal suggests these layoffs may signal a necessary correction. —Richard Menger Md Mpa, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025

In most cases, that amount would have been determined at the time the estate was settled, ideally with a qualified appraisal, Tullio says. —Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2025

But the things Shildt has said after some of the outings of some of the other pitchers involved in the competition for the fifth spot justifiably offer a far more positive appraisal. —Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025

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