value

1 of 3

noun

val·​ue ˈval-(ˌ)yü 

1

: the monetary worth of something : market price

2

: a fair return or equivalent in goods, services, or money for something exchanged

3

: relative worth, utility, or importance

a good value at the price

the value of base stealing in baseball

had nothing of value to say

4

: something (such as a principle or quality) intrinsically valuable or desirable

sought material values instead of human values

—W. H. Jones

5

: a numerical quantity that is assigned or is determined by calculation or measurement

let x take on positive values

a value for the age of the earth

6

: the relative duration of a musical note

7

a

: relative lightness or darkness of a color : luminosity

b

: the relation of one part in a picture to another with respect to lightness and darkness

8

: denomination sense 2

valueless

ˈval-(ˌ)yü-ləs 

-yə-

adjective

valuelessness noun

value

2 of 3

verb

valued; valuing

transitive verb

1

: to consider or rate highly : prize, esteem

values your opinion

2

a

: to estimate or assign the monetary worth of : appraise

value a necklace

b

: to rate or scale in usefulness, importance, or general worth : evaluate

valuer

ˈval-yə-wər 

noun

value

3 of 3

adjective

: of, relating to, or being a brand of inexpensive products marketed as an alternative to other, more expensive brands

consumers choosing between premium brands and value brands

As the economic downturn set in, value products have been "legitimized," leading rich and poor alike to buy them.

—Andrea Felsted

Synonyms

Noun

• valuation
• worth

Verb

• appreciate
• cherish
• love
• prize
• treasure

Choose the Right Synonym for value

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

appreciate, value, prize, treasure, cherish mean to hold in high estimation.

appreciate often connotes sufficient understanding to enjoy or admire a thing's excellence.

appreciates fine wine

value implies rating a thing highly for its intrinsic worth.

values our friendship

prize implies taking a deep pride in something one possesses.

Americans prize their freedom

treasure emphasizes jealously safeguarding something considered precious.

a treasured memento

cherish implies a special love and care for something.

cherishes her children above all

Examples of value in a Sentence

Noun

The company's stock continues to decline in value.

Real estate prices have doubled in value over the last decade.

The difference in value between the two currencies is not significant.

You may exchange the item for something of equal value.

We sold the home for less than its full value.

an increase in the value of the dollar

The home has a value of $1,000,000.

Property values tend to rise as interest rates fall.

The store advertises great values.

No one can deny the value of a good education.

Verb

She values the time she spends with her family.

The items are highly valued by collectors.

The herbs are valued for their medicinal properties.

See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

But the impractical value is likely larger; to be in the presence of a giant is for some reason calming—the air felt tranquil here, the sunlight scattered, the wind stilled. —Bill McKibben, The New Yorker, 23 Nov. 2023

What was most important for me, really, was the value of writers. —Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2023

Price at time of publish: $40 Full of Yiddish words, this children’s book is a lively story that tells about the Jewish values of giving, gratitude, and family. —Amanda Ogle, Southern Living, 22 Nov. 2023

Not just shareholders In 2019, the business community declared a seismic shift in corporate values when the Business Roundtable announced an end to shareholder primacy. —Byeamon Barrett, Fortune, 22 Nov. 2023

This is arguably the best value in a garage workbench out there right now. —Matt Jancer, WIRED, 22 Nov. 2023

Seeing the story that others are missing by reporting what so often gets overlooked: the values that connect us. —Ken Makin, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 Nov. 2023

In 2006, Cerberus offered $76 million, twice Bushmaster’s own estimate of its value. —James Bandler, ProPublica, 21 Nov. 2023

Rents have skyrocketed and some homes have tripled in value, while the working-class Black families of Dunkley’s childhood largely vanished. —Omari Daniels, Washington Post, 21 Nov. 2023

Verb

Are individual needs valued and respected by everyone? —Sahaj Kaur Kohli, Washington Post, 23 Nov. 2023

Instituting these changes requires a cultural shift within organizations to recognize and value the diversity of employees’ needs. —Gleb Tsipursky, Fortune, 22 Nov. 2023

The September price of battery-quality lithium would have valued that yield at more than $200,000. —Aaron Gettinger, arkansasonline.com, 21 Nov. 2023

This comes as Gen Z, the generation pouring into corporate America at the fastest rate, has often been the loudest about desiring employers who value their well-being at work. —Alexa Mikhail, Fortune Well, 21 Nov. 2023

These sneakers combine style with comfort, offering a cloud-like feel for those who value both fashion and functionality in their workout attire. —Poppy Morgan, Rolling Stone, 21 Nov. 2023

Musk seems to value his ability on X to challenge conventional wisdom and influence cultural debates. —Brian Steinberg, Variety, 19 Nov. 2023

Advertisement The global market for e-scooters, sometimes called e-kick scooters, was valued at $4.3 billion in 2022 and is predicted to grow by 13 percent annually, said a report from Grand View Research. —Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Nov. 2023

Fisher is believed to be looking for minority investors, hoping to generate $500 million toward stadium costs by valuing the A’s at $2 billion and selling 25% of the team. —Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 16 Nov. 2023

Adjective

Ask them to look at their daily, repetitive tasks or those that are a non-value add. —Steve Smith, Forbes, 20 Sep. 2021

Without adjustment for inflation, the 2022 total ex-value total is among the highest in Alaska history, but adjustments for inflation bring that total down to about the median for the harvests reported since 1975, the Fish and Game report said. —Yereth Rosen, Anchorage Daily News, 12 Nov. 2022

Indeed, many non-value, discretionary retailers also are expanding in 2021. —Bryan Pearson, Forbes, 7 Apr. 2021

See More

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, "worth, high quality," borrowed from Anglo-French, noun derivative from feminine of valu (going back to Vulgar Latin *valūtus), past participle of valer, valeir "to be worth, have value," going back to Latin valēre "to be well, have strength" — more at wield

Verb

Middle English valuen, borrowed from Anglo-French valuer "to estimate, be worth," verbal derivative of value value entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Adjective

1986, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing value

• at face value
• book value
• characteristic value
• critical value
• market value
• fair market value
• expected value
• entertainment value
• place a high value on
• nominal value
• face value
• present value
• U-value
• taken/accepted at face value
• of value
• truth-value
• value for money
• surplus value
• place value
• shock value
• counter-value
• breakup value
• P value
• snob value
• value-added tax
• absolute value
• R-value
• value-free
• mean value theorem
• sentimental value
• par value
• actual cash value
• no-par-value
• value-added
• value judgment

See More

• at face value
• book value
• characteristic value
• critical value
• market value
• fair market value
• expected value
• entertainment value
• place a high value on
• nominal value
• face value
• present value
• U-value
• taken/accepted at face value
• of value
• truth-value
• value for money
• surplus value
• place value
• shock value
• counter-value
• breakup value
• P value
• snob value
• value-added tax
• absolute value
• R-value
• value-free
• mean value theorem
• sentimental value
• par value
• actual cash value
• no-par-value
• value-added
• value judgment

See More

Kids Definition

value

1 of 2 noun

val·​ue ˈval-yü 

1

: a fair return in goods, services, or money for something exchanged

2

: the amount of money something is worth

3

: worth, utility, or importance in comparison with something else

4

: a numerical quantity that is assigned or is found by calculation or measurement

find the value of x

5

: the length of time a musical note is to be held

6

: the lightness or darkness of a color

7

: something (as a belief) that is valuable or desirable

valueless

-yü-ləs 

-yə-

adjective

value

2 of 2 verb

valued; valuing

1

: to estimate the worth of

was valued at $200

2

: to think highly of

values your advice

valuer

-yə-wər

noun

Legal Definition

value

1 of 2 noun

val·​ue ˈval-yü 

1

a

: a fair return or equivalent in goods, services, or money for something exchanged

received good value for the price

b

: valuable consideration at consideration

2

: monetary worth

especially : market value

valueless adjective

value

2 of 2 transitive verb

valued; valuing

: to estimate or determine the monetary value of