evaluate

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

|Updated on: 9 Jun 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

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

And if this is how candidates think voters are evaluating them anyway (based entirely on party affiliation), why bother with the boring local issues?

— lee drutman, Vox, "America has local political institutions but nationalized politics. This is a problem.," 31 May 2018
Allen said earlier this month the plan was to move the linebackers around to evaluate them and find the best positions to utilize their strengths while hopefully hiding their weaknesses.

— josh katzenstein, NOLA.com, "Saints testing linebacker Demario Davis' versatility this offseason," 30 May 2018
Shutterstock The proliferation of new ways to get around cities—hello, dockless scooters—has created a dizzying array of choices, without many clear ways to evaluate every mobility option.

— patrick sisson, Curbed, "New transit app simplifies city trips with real-time bikeshare info," 30 May 2018
Trib Talk reports: The high court held that Texas courts, like all courts in the country, must use current medical standards to evaluate intellectual disability claims in capital cases.

— angela helm, The Root, "Why Is Bobby Moore Still on Death Row, Despite a Recent Supreme Court Decision in His Favor?," 19 May 2018
Young players use social media to evaluate their future college options, potential teammates, and competition.

— taylor lorenz, The Atlantic, "The Instagram Stars of High-School Basketball," 18 May 2018
Bautista called for free medical clinics to be set up in the neighborhood, with staff qualified to evaluate their conditions.

— maya dukmasova, Chicago Reader, "News / Environment East Side residents enraged by manganese pollution tear into city and federal officials," 11 May 2018
Debt rating: Many communities issue bonds to fund expansions or other capital improvements, and Fitch Ratings evaluates them.

— peter finch, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Is your parents' continuing care retirement community financially stable?," 9 May 2018
In other words, in 1848, scientists lacked the context in which to evaluate such an unusual skull.

— lorraine boissoneault, Smithsonian, "How Do Scientists Identify New Species? For Neanderthals, It Was All About Timing and Luck," 9 May 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.

- 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

EVALUATE Defined for English Language Learners

evaluate

verb

Definition of evaluate for English Language Learners

: to judge the value or condition of (someone or something) in a careful and thoughtful way

EVALUATE Defined for Kids

evaluate

verb eval·u·ate \ i-ˈval-yə-ˌwāt \

Definition of evaluate for Students

evaluated; evaluating

: to judge the value or condition of Our teacher is evaluating our math skills.

Learn More about evaluate

See words that rhyme with evaluate Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for evaluate Spanish Central: Translation of evaluate Nglish: Translation of evaluate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of evaluate for Arabic speakers

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evaluate

Definition of evaluate

evaluation

evaluative

evaluator

Examples of evaluate in a Sentence

Recent Examples of evaluate from the Web

Origin and Etymology of evaluate

evaluate Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Synonym Discussion of evaluate

EVALUATE Defined for English Language Learners

evaluate

Definition of evaluate for English Language Learners

EVALUATE Defined for Kids

evaluate

Definition of evaluate for Students

Learn More about evaluate

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