evaluate

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

|Updated on: 4 Aug 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: evaluate in a Sentence

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

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evaluation

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

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evaluative

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

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evaluator

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

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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

The critters’ picky eating tendencies also come down to genes: Eschner writes that koalas have a strong sense of smell and taste, which allows them to evaluate leaves based on their bitterness and water content, choosing the juiciest ones.

— meilan solly, Smithsonian, "Newly Mapped Koala Genome Unlocks Secrets of Marsupial’s Diet, Susceptibility to Chlamydia," 3 July 2018
The museum’s collection is enormous, and because of its size, both the museum and Temple have wanted to evaluate what is in it.

— stephan salisbury, Philly.com, "Philadelphia History Museum is closing to the public as Temple walks away from proposed partnership," 27 June 2018
Every child is evaluated by a doctor and therapist during the first week of arrival.

— elaine ayala, San Antonio Express-News, "S.A. shelter has 22 children separated from parents by federal policy," 22 June 2018
The lithium-ion battery module was evaluated in flight conditions and put through a thermal runaway test toward the end of last year, while the electric motors began endurance tests in January.

— jay bennett, Popular Mechanics, "NASA X-Plane Gets Closer to Electric Flight," 18 June 2018
Bailey is expected to return to Cincinnati to be re-evaluated this week.

— bobby nightengale, Cincinnati.com, "Reds notebook: Nick Senzel makes start at shortstop; Brandon Dixon hits 1st home run," 17 June 2018
The right-hander was limped pretty severely afterward and will be evaluated again Saturday.

— jeff wilson, star-telegram, "Rangers Reaction: Is Choo playing his way onto the trading block?," 8 June 2018
The suit is currently on hold while Surfrider and the city evaluate a consent decree that has been reached between U.S. Steel and the EPA.

— david north, Chicago Reader, "Sickened surfers say the best waves in Lake Michigan are in the polluted waters off northwest Indiana," 10 July 2018
The next stop for the new design is the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, where the service is evaluating the part and process used to make it.

— kyle mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "The Air Force is 3D Printing Coffee Cup Handles to Save Money," 10 July 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.