appraisal

noun

ap·​prais·​al ə-ˈprā-zəl 

: an act or instance of appraising something or someone

a damage appraisal

They gave us an honest appraisal of our chances.

especially : a valuation of property by the estimate of an authorized person

sought an appraisal of her jewelry

real estate appraisals

Synonyms of appraisal

• assessment
• evaluation
• appraisement

Examples of appraisal in a Sentence

the appraisal of some jewelry

I made a quick appraisal of the situation and decided to leave right away.

The book is an excellent appraisal of the influences that have shaped our government.

Recent Examples on the Web

Additionally, Covington was never given a due performance appraisal and raise as required by the Kansas City Charter and Kansas City Missouri human resources manual, according to the lawsuit. —Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 12 Nov. 2025

The impact of Diogo Jota’s death This may appear at the end of our assessment of Liverpool’s issues, but in truth any appraisal of the club’s season should be seen through the prism of Diogo Jota’s tragic death in the summer. —The Athletic's Liverpool Staff, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025

Next steps include sending the results of the committee vote to the California Department of Housing and Community Development, obtaining property appraisal reports and initiating the NOA process for the Torrey Pines Road parcel. —Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025

Buyers would need to find their own prospects, something most already do, schedule showings, order an inspection and appraisal, and draft offers. —Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 6 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

appraise + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1698, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing appraisal

• self-appraisal

Rhymes for appraisal

• hazel
• nasal
• phrasal
• intranasal
• reappraisal

Kids Definition

appraisal

noun

ap·​prais·​al ə-ˈprā-zəl 

: an act or instance of appraising

Legal Definition

appraisal

noun

ap·​prais·​al ə-ˈprā-zəl 

: a valuation of property by the estimate of an authorized person: as

a

: the determination of the fair value of a corporation's stock by a judicial proceeding that a dissenting shareholder is usually entitled by statute to demand in a case of extraordinary corporate action (as a merger) see also dissent entry 1 sense 1

b

: the estimation of the value of real estate for the purpose of taxation, sale, or securing a mortgage

c

: the estimation of the value of damage done to property for the purpose of adjusting an insurance claim