evaluate

1 of 2

verb

eval·​u·​ate i-ˈval-yə-ˌwāt 

-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

i-ˈval-yə-ˌwā-tiv 

-yü-ˌā-

adjective

evaluator

i-ˈval-yə-ˌwā-tər 

-yü-ˌā-

noun

evaluator

2 of 2

noun

eval·​u·​a·​tor -ˌwātə(r) 

-ātə-

plural -s

: one that evaluates

an intelligence officer is supposed to be a professional evaluator

—Perry Miller

Synonyms of evaluate

Verb

• assess
• estimate
• value

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

Verb

We need to evaluate our options.

evaluate a training program as effective

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The new coaching staff needs time to evaluate, and Jarry, Andersen and Levi need to be given ample opportunity to play their way into (or out of) the starting job in goal. — Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

There are other ongoing investigations sponsored by the company to evaluate tozorakimab for potential use in asthma and lower respiratory tract disease. — Dr. Jennifer Miao, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026

Coach Sean McVay has said that Donald’s situation would be evaluated daily. — Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026

The company said much of that activity remains concentrated within crypto markets, but this new offering can help lenders better understand how a business is operating, which could simplify the process of evaluating financing opportunities. — Talia Kaplan, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

1842, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing evaluate

• re-evaluate
• self-evaluate

Rhymes for evaluate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate

Kids Definition

evaluate

verb

eval·​u·​ate i-ˈval-yə-ˌwāt 

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

-ˌval-yə-ˈwā-shən 

noun

evaluative

-ˈval-yə-ˌwāt-iv 

adjective

evaluator

-ˌwāt-ər 

noun