evaluate

verb

eval·​u·​ate i-ˈval-yə-ˌwāt How to pronounce evaluate (audio)
-yü-ˌāt
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
evaluative adjective
evaluator noun
Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of evaluate in a Sentence

We need to evaluate our options. evaluate a training program as effective
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The measure, unveiled in February as the 2024 election cycle was just heating up, would have provided $20 billion to add hundreds more Border Patrol agents and to hire thousands of additional officers to evaluate asylum claims. John C. Moritz, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024 This will make advanced data analysis easier to enter, synthesize and evaluate new third-party data as events evolve. Robert Clark, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024 In evaluating school districts and schools, the DPI looks at outcomes in the areas of achievement, growth, target group outcomes and on-track to graduation. Alec Johnson, Journal Sentinel, 20 Nov. 2024 The study, published on Sept. 30 in JAMA Network Open, evaluated Medicare data from nearly 2.5 million adults over age 66 who were hospitalized or visited the emergency room due to an injury between 2014 and 2015. Kristen Fischer, Health, 20 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for evaluate 

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of evaluate was in 1842

Dictionary Entries Near evaluate

Cite this Entry

“Evaluate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/evaluate. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

evaluate

verb
eval·​u·​ate i-ˈval-yə-ˌwāt How to pronounce evaluate (audio)
evaluated; evaluating
1
: to find the value of
evaluate a mathematical expression
2
: to decide the value or worth of after study
evaluate a new program
evaluation noun
evaluative adjective
evaluator noun

More from Merriam-Webster on evaluate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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