evaluate

verb eval·u·ate \ i-ˈval-yə-ˌwāt , -yü-ˌāt \

Updated on: 15 Apr 2018

Definition of evaluate

evaluated; evaluating

transitive verb

1 : to determine or fix the value of

2 : to determine the significance, worth, or condition of usually by careful appraisal and study

—

evaluation

play \i-ˌval-yə-ˈwā-shən, -yü-ˈā-\ noun

—

evaluative

play \i-ˈval-yə-ˌwā-tiv, -yü-ˌā-\ adjective

—

evaluator

play \i-ˈval-yə-ˌwā-tər, -yü-ˌā-\ noun

See evaluate defined for English-language learners

See evaluate defined for kids

Examples of evaluate in a Sentence

We need to evaluate our options.
evaluate a training program as effective

Recent Examples of evaluate from the Web

Volunteer repair specialists will evaluate items such as toasters, lamps, clothes, bicycles, toys or electronics and fix as many as possible for free.

— lisa gueli regnante, Howard County Times, "Pilot program aims to keep tennis balls out of the landfill [Ellicott City]," 12 Apr. 2018
This method evaluates the cost of providing recycled water by only including the costs in excess of those incurred for secondary wastewater treatment and borne as a cost of effluent disposal.

— julie gallant, Ramona Sentinel, "Directors raise recycled water rates to reflect cost," 11 Apr. 2018
The most important first step of investing is honestly evaluating and discovering your personal tolerance for risk.

— lincoln anthony blades, Teen Vogue, "Investing 101: What You Should Know Before Investing Your Money," 11 Apr. 2018
The home builder is currently evaluating what ecological impact the housing development could have on the neighboring forest preserve land.

— erin hegarty, Naperville Sun, "Naperville council open to homes being built on part of Nokia land," 10 Apr. 2018
Spending so much time with the same person can cloud your ability to evaluate your dynamic objectively.

— marissa miller, Vogue, "So You Might Want to Call Off Your Wedding—Now What?," 8 Apr. 2018
During the two-month exclusivity agreement, the city and RAF Pacifica will evaluate the financial and economic feasibility of Pacifica’s purchase and development plans for the property.

— j. harry jones, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Escondido enters agreement to possibly sell land near transit center," 7 Apr. 2018
Napolitan, who admitted to some cocaine use, was taken to a local hospital where he was evaluated, but released.

— amanda marrazzo, McHenry County, "Woodstock man was hallucinating, hearing voices when he killed roommate, expert says in insanity defense," 9 Mar. 2018
Many space exploration technologies can benefit from reinvention and rethinking — a lot of this hardware hasn’t been re-evaluated since the 1960s.

— katherine kornei, Discover Magazine, "A Professor's DIY Spacesuit," 27 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'evaluate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of evaluate

back-formation from evaluation, from French évaluation, from Middle French evaluacion, from esvaluer to evaluate, from e- + value value

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1842

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

evaluate Synonyms

Synonyms

appraise, assess, estimate, guesstimate, rate, set, valuate, value;

Related Words

adjudge, deem, judge;

ascertain, determine, discover, learn;

price, prize;

decide, settle;

analyze, assay, survey, test;

reappraise, reassess, reevaluate, rejudge, revalue;

misesteem, misjudge, misprize, underestimate, undervalue;

Synonym Discussion of evaluate

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.