appreciation

noun

ap·​pre·​ci·​a·​tion ə-ˌprē-shē-ˈā-shən 

-ˌpri-,

 also  -ˌprē-sē-

1

a

: a feeling or expression of admiration, approval, or gratitude

I want to express my appreciation for all you've done.

a small token of our appreciation

b

: judgment, evaluation

especially : a favorable critical estimate

c

: sensitive awareness

especially : recognition of aesthetic values

a class in music appreciation

2

: increase in value

Synonyms

• admiration
• respect
• regard

Examples of appreciation in a Sentence

You've been so generous, and I'd like to show my appreciation by cooking a meal for you.

She's shown little appreciation for the effort you've made.

I'm not sure you have an appreciation of the complexity of the situation.

I've gained an appreciation for the skills involved in the game.

Recent Examples on the Web

That’s because stock is only taxed when it’s sold, and not on its appreciation in value; activists like the protesters in Venice this week want that to change. —Phoebe Liu, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025

Montano expressed appreciation for $5 million worth of federal grants that will be used to improve local intersections and school zones. —Stephanie Lam, Mercury News, 27 June 2025

The investor thus benefits from all the capital appreciation in the underlying stock, while retaining the premium from the call that is sold without sacrificing any gains or selling the underlying shares. —Michael Khouw, CNBC, 26 June 2025

But his contribution to the development and dissemination of zydeco has not been comprehensively recognized outside of the folklorists, musicologists and dancers who have always had an abiding appreciation of Chenier as ancestor, artist and ambassador. —Alicia Ault, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

see appreciate

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Phrases Containing appreciation

• in appreciation of

Rhymes for appreciation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration