appreciation

noun

ap·​pre·​ci·​a·​tion ə-ˌprē-shē-ˈā-shən 

-ˌpri-

also -ˌprē-sē-

1

a

: a feeling or expression of admiration, approval, or gratitude

I want to express my appreciation for all you've done.

a small token of our appreciation

b

: judgment, evaluation

especially : a favorable critical estimate

c

: sensitive awareness

especially : recognition of aesthetic values

a class in music appreciation

2

: increase in value

Synonyms of appreciation

• admiration
• respect
• regard

Examples of appreciation in a Sentence

You've been so generous, and I'd like to show my appreciation by cooking a meal for you.

She's shown little appreciation for the effort you've made.

I'm not sure you have an appreciation of the complexity of the situation.

I've gained an appreciation for the skills involved in the game.

Recent Examples on the Web

These gift cards had been accumulated over several years, for various teacher appreciation days or holidays. —Katherine Polcari, Southern Living, 21 Dec. 2025

Showing your appreciation by stuffing your wife’s or mother’s stocking doesn’t have to break the bank. —Lily Hautau, CNN Money, 20 Dec. 2025

For Mizuho, the stock with the highest potential appreciation is vaccine developer Vaxcyte . —Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 20 Dec. 2025

In September, Dolly Parton opened up about being a superfan of the restaurant and dished on her appreciation for its soft-shell taco during an interview with Business Insider. —Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 19 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see appreciate

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Phrases Containing appreciation

• in appreciation of

Rhymes for appreciation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration