evaluate

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

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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

The dogs will be evaluated for health and disposition and be put up for adoption within 24 to 48 hours, said Anderson, of Seattle Humane.

— lynn thompson, The Seattle Times, "Seattle takes in Texas shelter dogs to make room for 4-legged Harvey refugees," 30 Aug. 2017
Through connections, Bruce arranged for his brother to be evaluated and treated.

— dan wiederer, chicagotribune.com, "Inside the passion-fueled, bombastic, Cubs-loving, full-tilt life of David Kaplan," 28 Aug. 2017
Applicants must complete a standardized course that includes a placement at a safari camp, plus tests to evaluate English skills and scholastic aptitude.

— hillary richard, New York Times, "The Wonder Women of Botswana Safari," 25 Aug. 2017
Each of the four biggest ad companies is addressing problems in North America, where big consumer-goods companies are re-evaluating their advertising strategies.

— joe mayes, Bloomberg.com, "WPP's Cocktail of Woes Leaves Ad Men With Few Answers," 23 Aug. 2017
The UN is using satellite data technology, radar imagery and drone mapping to help evaluate which areas are at further risk for a second mudslide.

— veronica hilbring, Essence.com, "Death Toll Nears 300 Following Deadly Sierra Leone Mudslide," 15 Aug. 2017
And that plays into what Cookson thinks is another misguided belief relating to affirmative action: that GPAs and test scores should be the only criteria used to evaluate applicants.

— emma sarran webster, Teen Vogue, "Affirmative Action: What It Is and How it Works," 14 Aug. 2017
Four fashion industry veterans served as judges and evaluated gown designs: jewelry designer Temple St. Clair, Macy’s fashion director Durand Guion, fashion consultant Marigay McKee, and Infor’s chief creative officer Marc Scibelli.

— karla alindahao, Harper's BAZAAR, "The 21-Year-Old Fashion Designer You Need to Know," 7 Aug. 2017
Ernie Moniz had wanted MacWilliams to evaluate the D.O.E.’s financial risks—

— michael lewis, The Hive, "Why the Scariest Nuclear Threat May Be Coming from Inside the White House," 2 Aug. 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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1842

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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; transvaluate, transvalue; 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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Definition of evaluate

evaluation

evaluative

evaluator

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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

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