value

noun

val·ue | \ ˈval-(ˌ)yü

Definition of value

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

7a : 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

value

verb

valued; valuing

Definition of value (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to consider or rate highly : prize, esteem values your opinion

2a : to estimate or assign the monetary worth of : appraise value a necklace

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

Other Words from value Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about value

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Other Words from value

Noun

valueless \ ˈval-(ˌ)yü-ləs

, -yə- \ adjective

valuelessness noun

Verb

valuer \ ˈval-yə-wər

\ noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for value

Synonyms: Noun

valuation, worth

Synonyms: Verb

appreciate, cherish, love, prize, treasure

Antonyms: Verb

disvalue

Choose the Right Synonym for value

Verb

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.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The city was in the middle of its first revaluation in 17 years and many residential properties experienced a significant spike in value. — Greg Bordonaro, courant.com, "Hartford’s stifling property taxes make it difficult for businesses to prosper — and remain in the city," 7 July 2019 Point guard would have needed an upgrade but Granger was damaged goods by this point, limiting his trade value. — Nat Newell, Indianapolis Star, "What if the Pacers hadn't traded Kawhi Leonard for George Hill in 2011?," 6 July 2019 Moreover, Chinese firms aren’t absorbing much of the tariffs since the yuan has fallen in value. — WSJ, "Retaliatory Tariffs Decide Which U.S. Industries Fail," 5 July 2019 Others would have lowered the 10% limit allowed for a maximum annual increase in taxable value down to 5%. — Dallas News, "This is how Texas lawmakers avoided true property tax reform and instead gave us fluff and stuff," 5 July 2019 Galvano’s Bradenton home has grown in value from $750,000 in 2012 to a little more than $1.03 million this year. — Jim Turner, sun-sentinel.com, "Net worth grows for Florida legislative leaders," 5 July 2019 Despite promises of consumer protest, Nike's ad featuring Colin resulted in a $6 billion increase in market value. — Lauren Rearick, Teen Vogue, "Colin Kaepernick Reportedly Spurred Nike’s Decision to Cancel the Release of a New Shoe," 2 July 2019 Housing costs rose without giving black residents a stake in the value of their homes, while neighborhoods decayed from lack of investment. — Calvin Schermerhorn, Twin Cities, "Calvin Schermerhorn: Why the racial wealth gap persists more than 150 years after emancipation," 27 June 2019 That fee goes up by $4 for each additional thousand in dollar value up to $500,000. — Carissa D. Lamkahouan, Houston Chronicle, "City of Deer Park boosts construction permit fees," 26 June 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The cash boost valued Uber's Advanced Technologies Group at $7.25 billion. — Sherisse Pham, CNN, "Uber will take 'years' to make a profit, CTO says," 9 July 2019 Malls once valued for hundreds of millions are now almost worthless or have been repurposed into churches and medical centers. — Meredith Blake, chicagotribune.com, "Why ‘Stranger Things 3’ is an anxious ode to ’80s consumerism," 9 July 2019 Malls once valued for hundreds of millions are now almost worthless or have been repurposed into churches and medical centers. — Meredith Blake, latimes.com, "‘Stranger Things 3’ is an anxious ode to ’80s consumerism," 8 July 2019 The football portion of TV revenue distributed to member schools is generally valued at 80 percent of the total package, which means UConn’s annual football value in the new deal with ESPN was set to be approximately $5.6 million. — Mike Anthony, courant.com, "Mike Anthony: United States women’s national team has already won in advance of Sunday’s World Cup championship match," 7 July 2019 Highs on Friday are expected to stay in the low-90s, but the humidity will put heat index values well into the 100s, according to Davies. — Jesus Jimenez, Dallas News, "Temperatures set to heat up in Dallas-Fort Worth this weekend," 4 July 2019 Just walking by and knowing that this is what’s valued in society was really tough. — Tatiana Sanchez, SFChronicle.com, "As tensions flare over monuments, universities target California’s mission past," 4 July 2019 Entering this fiscal year, Lore was still owed $291 million in cash from the acquisition over the next three years, as well as shares of Walmart stock that’s valued at nearly $300 million today. — Jason Del Rey, Vox, "Inside the conflict at Walmart that’s threatening its high-stakes race with Amazon," 3 July 2019 The Gunners, whose limited summer budget has been the subject of much media discussion, appear to be making an unfortunate habit of low ball offers for players valued far higher. — SI.com, "Arsenal Make Harry Maguire Enquiry But Are Wasting Everyone's Time With Embarrassing Offer," 3 July 2019

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.

History and Etymology for value

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

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