value

noun val·ue \ ˈval-(ˌ)yü \

Updated on: 20 Apr 2018

Definition of value

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 2

—

valueless

play \ˈval-(ˌ)yü-ləs, -yə-\ adjective

—

valuelessness

noun

See value defined for English-language learners

See value defined for kids

Examples of value in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of value from the Web

The stock has more than doubled in price in the last 12 months, giving Netflix a total market value of $136 billion.

— david lazarus, latimes.com, "California Inc.: How it will be, there's one for you, 19 for me — here comes the tax man," 16 Apr. 2018
But the universe of potential buyers is limited, since the company’s market value is about $90 billion.

— charley grant, WSJ, "Bristol-Myers has Farther to Fall," 16 Apr. 2018
To determine the county with the most expensive housing market in every state, 24/7 Wall Street reviewed median home values of 3,119 counties and county equivalents as of the second quarter of 2017 from the National Association of Realtors.

— elissa robinson, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan's most expensive housing market: Leelanau County," 16 Apr. 2018
As values are projected to continue to increase in North Texas, taxpayers are bracing to pay more school taxes this year.

— diane smith, star-telegram, "Tax rates, school funding top issues for Grapevine-Colleyville school board candidates | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 16 Apr. 2018
Savvy coaches and team owners, many supported by advanced analytics, trade players when their value peaks, even if that means shipping off hometown heroes still in their prime.

— derek thompson, The Atlantic, "In Praise of Fair-Weather Fandom," 16 Apr. 2018
Don’t underestimate the sweetness or the value in this recognition.

— claire comstock-gay, The Cut, "Madame Clairevoyant: Horoscopes for the Week of April 16," 16 Apr. 2018
Traditional real estate players are fundamental value investors looking for current yield.

— erin griffith, WIRED, "SoftBank's Futuristic Vision Fund Takes on the Real (Estate) World," 16 Apr. 2018
No cash value can be put on goodwill, but its absence costs us millions, billions.

— maria shine stewart, cleveland.com, "Respect others and yourself: Sun Messages," 15 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'value.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of value

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

value Synonyms

Other Economics Terms

actuary, compound interest, globalization, indemnity, portfolio, rentier, stagflation, usurer

value

verb

Definition of value

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

play \ˈval-yə-wər\ noun

See value defined for English-language learners

Examples of value in a Sentence

She values the time she spends with her family.
The items are highly valued by collectors.
The herbs are valued for their medicinal properties.

Recent Examples of value from the Web

Melrose last week raised its cash-and-stock offer, which now values GKN at 457 pence a share.

— Bloomberg.com, "GKN's Rival Suitors Offer Incentives in Race to Woo Shareholders," 16 Apr. 2018
That's relatively small by the standards of tech IPOs, which often value newly public companies at well over $1 billion.

— mike rogoway, OregonLive.com, "Laser manufacturer nLight closes in on IPO," 16 Apr. 2018
Last week, SpaceX was reported to be raising $507 million in new funding in a round that would value it at $25 billion.

— jonathan vanian, Fortune, "SpaceX and NASA Delay Launch of Planet-Hunting Satellite TESS," 16 Apr. 2018
Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images SoftBank’s Vision Fund is in late talks to fund a hot data storage company, Cohesity, in a deal that would value the company at about $1 billion.

— theodore schleifer, Recode, "SoftBank is in talks to invest in data storage company Cohesity at a $1 billion valuation," 13 Apr. 2018
The San Diego region is a good place to look for work for employees who value work-life balance, job security and opportunities for advancement.

— mike freeman, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Survey: San Diego is a good place for job hunters, but pay lags living costs," 12 Apr. 2018
Crock-Pot Express Multicooker Best for the new at-home cook who values a straightforward tool that just gets the job done.

— paul schrodt, WSJ, "Does the Instant Pot Actually Live Up to the Hype?," 11 Apr. 2018
Along with classmate Jack Donofrio, Starsiak started the nonprofit SKORE, Students Keen on Recycling Equipment, as a way to get sports equipment a family no longer needs into the hands of those who would value it.

— michael walsh, Courant Community, "Teen Makes First Donation To Hartford Public Schools," 10 Apr. 2018
The speed certainly caught the eye of Browns GM John Dorsey, who not only values a shutdown corner, but feels the need for speed.

— mary kay cabot, cleveland.com, "Former Ohio State CB Denzel Ward visits Browns today on their local prospect day," 9 Apr. 2018

Origin and Etymology of value

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 2a

See Words from the same year

value Synonyms

Synonyms

appreciate, cherish, love, prize, treasure;

Antonyms

disvalue;

Near Antonyms

undervalue;

abhor, abominate, despise, detest, execrate, hate, loathe;

disdain, scorn, slight, sniff (at), snub;

bad-mouth, belittle, cry down, decry, deprecate, depreciate, disparage, minimize, put down, write off;

admire, apprize, esteem, regard, respect, revere, reverence, venerate;

enshrine, memorialize;

adore, caress, dote (on), idolize, worship;

Phrases

set store by (or set store on);

Synonym Discussion of 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

Other Economics Terms

actuary, compound interest, globalization, indemnity, portfolio, rentier, stagflation, usurer

VALUE Defined for English Language Learners

value

noun

Definition of value for English Language Learners

: the amount of money that something is worth : the price or cost of something
: something that can be bought for a low or fair price
: usefulness or importance

value

verb

Definition of value for English Language Learners

: to make a judgment about the amount of money that something is worth
: to think that (someone or something) is important or useful

VALUE Defined for Kids

value

noun val·ue \ ˈval-yü \

Definition of value for Students

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

2 : worth in money

3 : worth, usefulness, or importance in comparison with something else

The letter is of great historical value.

4 : a principle or quality that is valuable or desirable

They shared many goals and values.

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

What is the value of x?

value

verb

Definition of value for Students

valued; valuing

1 : to estimate the worth of

The necklace is valued at 200 dollars.

2 : to think highly of

I value your friendship.

Law Dictionary

value

noun val·ue \ ˈval-yü \

legal Definition of value

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

transitive verb

legal Definition of value

valued; valuing

: to estimate or determine the monetary value of

Learn More about value

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for value Spanish Central: Translation of value Nglish: Translation of value for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of value for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about value

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value

Definition of value

valueless

valuelessness

Examples of value in a Sentence

Recent Examples of value from the Web

Origin and Etymology of value

value Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Other Economics Terms

value

Definition of value

valuer

Examples of value in a Sentence

Recent Examples of value from the Web

Origin and Etymology of value

value Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Phrases

Synonym Discussion of value

Other Economics Terms

Phrases Related to VALUE

Related Phrases

VALUE Defined for English Language Learners

value

Definition of value for English Language Learners

value

Definition of value for English Language Learners

VALUE Defined for Kids

value

Definition of value for Students

value

Definition of value for Students

Law Dictionary

value

legal Definition of value

valueless

value

legal Definition of value

Learn More about value

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