evaluate

play

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

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

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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

An independent law firm that evaluated police as part of a federal settlement recently said use of force and police shootings have significantly decreased over the years.

— jaweed kaleem, The Seattle Times, "Portland long embroiled in conflicts over hate and racism", 2 June 2017
Mr. Mulvaney said, arguing that people who evaluate the effects of legislation have too much influence in the legislative process.

— alan rappeport, New York Times, "Mick Mulvaney on the Budget, Congressional Scorekeepers and Staying Frugal", 2 June 2017
A squad of celebrity judges will evaluate them based on flavor, texture, fixin's, spice and originality.

— lawrence specker, AL.com, "Duel on Dauphin brings crawfish back downtown on Saturday", 31 May 2017
For a bigger wedding, eco-conscious couples should look for buildings that are LEED-certified, which means they have been evaluated for sustainability and environmental performance.

— emily perschbacher, chicagotribune.com, "How to plan an eco-friendly wedding", 30 May 2017
MedGulf is working with the investment banking arm of Banque Saudi Fransi to evaluate strategic options, two of the people said, asking not to be identified as the information is private.

— matthew martin, Bloomberg.com, "Saudi Insurer MedGulf Denies It's Considering Sale of Business", 29 May 2017
In 2001, the journal Behavioral Ecology started using a double-blind review that masked the genders of the applicants being evaluated.

— marina koren, The Atlantic, "The Hidden Women in Astronomy Research", 26 May 2017
None was less useful in evaluating the Trump Effect than the election in Montana held on Thursday.

— philip bump, Washington Post, "What we’ve learned so far from the 2017 special elections", 26 May 2017
Meanwhile, the state is evaluating proposals from emergency manager candidates.

— carole carlson, Post-Tribune, "Gary schools ask state for loan to make payroll", 25 May 2017

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

First Known Use: 1842

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. estimated the crowd at two hundred appraise commonly implies the fixing by an expert of the monetary worth of a thing, but it may be used of any critical judgment. having their house appraised evaluate suggests an attempt to determine relative or intrinsic worth in terms other than monetary. evaluate a student's work value equals appraise but without implying expertness of judgment. a watercolor valued by the donor at $500 rate adds to estimate the notion of placing a thing according to a scale of values. a highly rated restaurant assess implies a critical appraisal for the purpose of understanding or interpreting, or as a guide in taking action. officials are trying to assess the damage