value

1 of 3

noun

val·ue ˈval-(ˌ)yü

Synonyms of value next

: the monetary worth of something : market price

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

: relative worth, utility, or importance

a good value at the price

the value of base stealing in baseball

had nothing of value to say

: something (such as a principle or quality) intrinsically valuable or desirable

sought material values instead of human values—

W. H. Jones

: 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

: the relative duration of a musical note

: relative lightness or darkness of a color : luminosity

: the relation of one part in a picture to another with respect to lightness and darkness

: denomination sense 2

valueless

ˈval-(ˌ)yü-ləs

-yə-

adjective

valuelessness noun

value

2 of 3

verb

valued; valuing

transitive verb

: to consider or rate highly : prize, esteem

values your opinion

: to estimate or assign the monetary worth of : appraise

value a necklace

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

valuer

ˈval-yə-wər

noun

value

3 of 3

adjective

: of, relating to, or being a brand of inexpensive products marketed as an alternative to other, more expensive brands

consumers choosing between premium brands and value brands

As the economic downturn set in, value products have been "legitimized," leading rich and poor alike to buy them.—

Andrea Felsted

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Example Sentences

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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The franchise-tag value for running backs is the lowest for any non-specialist position. —

Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, 7 Mar. 2023 The franchise tag value for running backs is $10.1 million. —

Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2023 His value is a significant reason the Bruins have been able to build such a strong team. —

Matt Porter, BostonGlobe.com, 4 Mar. 2023 The total value those credits was approximately $64 billion, the IRS said. —

Andy Rosen, oregonlive, 2 Mar. 2023 Although that value was heavily due to a severe cold snap before Christmas, a majority of days during the month were chillier than normal. —

Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 1 Mar. 2023 The value of instant digital transactions in India last year was far more than in the United States, Britain, Germany and France. —

Hari Kumar, New York Times, 1 Mar. 2023 What is the primary value customers get from your product? —

Yule Georgieva, Rolling Stone, 28 Feb. 2023 Tai Robinson, a human resources professional in Houston, said the value of Black DEI officers can be significant, if given in-house support because they are specifically trained for the role. —

Curtis Bunn, NBC News, 27 Feb. 2023

Verb

Congress will have made banking safer, but bankers don’t value safety. —

Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 16 Mar. 2023 The program will accept bonds and other securities as collateral, and will value them at par rather than current market prices. —

Heather Landy, Quartz, 12 Mar. 2023 But audience members value that time as well, hitting the bathroom, taking phone calls, getting another cocktail, or just chatting with companions about the first half of the show. —

Milan Polk, Men's Health, 10 Mar. 2023 Vogt said the appraiser was hired to value the collection of books left at McMurtry’s bookstores in Archer City. —

Tommy Cummings, Dallas News, 9 Mar. 2023 Do the CEOs of these companies value true inclusivity? —

Gabi Thorne, Allure, 9 Mar. 2023 Do the CEOs of these companies value true inclusivity? —

Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 8 Mar. 2023 The pair believe most people value libraries and disagree with book banning. —

Abby Roedel, Peoplemag, 6 Mar. 2023 Hyde hoped the young players the Orioles brought up from Sarasota would value the experience of playing in an actual major league venue. —

Nathan Ruiz, Baltimore Sun, 5 Mar. 2023

Adjective

Ask them to look at their daily, repetitive tasks or those that are a non-value add. —

Steve Smith, Forbes, 20 Sep. 2021 Without adjustment for inflation, the 2022 total ex-value total is among the highest in Alaska history, but adjustments for inflation bring that total down to about the median for the harvests reported since 1975, the Fish and Game report said. —

Yereth Rosen, Anchorage Daily News, 12 Nov. 2022 Indeed, many non-value, discretionary retailers also are expanding in 2021. —

Bryan Pearson, Forbes, 7 Apr. 2021 See More

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.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Adjective

1986, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of value was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century