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

Keep scrolling for more

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 Parent Trap The Parent Trap, starring Lindsay Lohan as twin sisters, who were separated at birth has some serious replay value. — Seventeen, "20 Mother's Day Movies to Watch With Your Mom," 11 Apr. 2019 Meanwhile, cannabis containing THC is stuck in Schedule I, the government designation for drugs that have no medical value and a high capacity for abuse, alongside heroin and cocaine. — Amber Senter, Marie Claire, "We Have to Acknowledge That CBD Use Is a Privilege," 11 Apr. 2019 Teaching a client to understand why some Danish dressers have more intrinsic value and will look better in their house than something else that’s maybe new or not, that's our role. — Joanna Saltz, House Beautiful, "Five Designers on How to Make Old Things New Again," 8 Feb. 2019 And its operation has value that goes beyond simple economics, Quinn argued. — John Timmer, Ars Technica, "Bikes, bowling balls, and the delicate balancing act that is modern recycling," 31 Dec. 2018 Also on April 20, Venus, the planet of love, money, and values, also the planet ruling Taurus, enters Aries. — Randon Rosenbohm, Allure, "What Your Sign's April Horoscope Predictions Mean for You," 31 Mar. 2019 Ride-sharing app Lyft is slated to commence trading on Friday with a market value of roughly $24 billion at its initial public offering price. — Laura Forman, WSJ, "Lyft’s Bleeding Money. Can Its IPO Pay Off?," 29 Mar. 2019 Instead, McCain invited former Presidents George W. Bush, who defeated McCain during the 2000 GOP nomination fight, and Barack Obama, the Democrat who defeated him in 2008, to deliver eulogies on the value of pursuing goals greater than oneself. — Calvin Woodward, The Seattle Times, "AP fact check: Trump hails an exoneration not offered," 25 Mar. 2019 What this means to you: For years, users questioned the value of upgrading to new versions of the standalone Office suite—a spell-checker was a spell-checker, after all. — Mark Hachman, PCWorld, "Microsoft dismisses Office 2019 as old and dumb in videos promoting Office 365 subscriptions," 6 Feb. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

As far as details go, both samples of CE Ferulic and Phloretin CF will be available until supplies go and will be valued at $22. — Kaleigh Fasanella, Allure, "How to Get a Free SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic Serum at Dermstore on Vitamin C Day," 3 Apr. 2019 The company was dreamed up by esteemed makeup artist Rose-Marie Swift, who values health and wellness just as much as cosmetics. — Maya Allen, Marie Claire, "7 All-Natural Makeup Brands With Products That Are Actually Amazing," 14 Jan. 2019 Shoppers are those who value buying unique gifts for family, friends, or themselves. — Country Living, "Our Village™—An Online Marketplace Making The World A Better Place," 1 Jan. 2019 Drillinginfo said mergers and acquisition in the oil and gas industry were valued at $30 billion in first six months of this year, compared with $45 billion in the first half of 2017. — Jordan Blum, San Antonio Express-News, "Oil, gas deal surge likely in coming months," 11 July 2018 Microsoft jumps to the top of the list for those looking for stability, while Apple is the top choice for people who value diversity as the most important element within the workplace. — Carson Kessler, Fortune, "These Are the Fortune 500 Companies Americans Are Most Excited to Work For," 10 July 2018 As the president heads off to another NATO summit, there are at least three reasons why this time feels so different, and why those who value the transatlantic partnership are justifiably worried. — James Goldgeier, Washington Post, "President Trump goes to Europe this week. Its leaders are bracing for the impact.," 9 July 2018 The right alchemy can make a disempowered group feel empowered, feel that they are valued. — Spencer Bailey, Town & Country, "David Adjaye's Message to Architects: Stop Building McMansions," 26 Mar. 2019 Holmes raised so much funding that Theranos was valued at $9 billion as recently as 2015. — Cady Drell, Marie Claire, "Elizabeth Holmes Is a Tragic Figure," 18 Mar. 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

Keep scrolling for more