Originated 1645–55 from Medieval Latin appreciatus, from Late Latin appretiatus, from ap- (form of ad- ("towards")) + Latin pretium (English precious) + -atus.

Cognate to French apprécier. Latin root also origin of English appraise, which has various Romance cognates.

• IPA: /əˈpɹiː.ʃi.eɪt/, /əˈpɹiː.si.eɪt/, /əˈpɹɪʃ.i.eɪt/

appreciate (appreciates, present participle appreciating; simple past and past participle appreciated)

1. (transitive) To be grateful or thankful for.

   Synonyms: esteem

   I appreciate your efforts.

   We sincerely appreciate your help.

   Any aid will be warmly appreciated.

2. (transitive) To view as valuable.

   Synonyms: esteem

   You must learn to appreciate time.

3. (transitive) To be fully conscious of; understand; be aware of; detect.

   Synonyms: grasp

   It is essential for the reader to appreciate how important this argument is.

   I appreciate that what I'm asking you to do is very difficult.

   • 1883, John Lubbock, On the Senses, Instincts and Intelligence of Animals, With Special Reference to Insects:

     to test the power of bees to appreciate colour

4. (intransitive, transitive) To increase in value.

   Antonyms: depreciate

   The value of his portfolio appreciated by 80% over eight years.

   • 1809, David Ramsay, History of South Carolina:

     lest a sudden peace should appreciate the money

   • 1831, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter XIX, in Romance and Reality. […], volume I, London: Henry Colburn and Richard Bentley, […], →OCLC ↗, page 234 ↗:

     Laughter may be generally classed under three heads,—forced, silly, or vulgar; but hers is the most sweet, real, spirituelle sound possible—it so appreciates the wit, which it increases as it catches—it speaks of spirits so fresh, so youthful!

• appraise
• appreciation
• appreciative
• precious

• French: être reconnaissant de
• German: zu schätzen wissen, würdigen
• Italian: apprezzare, essere riconoscente
• Portuguese: apreciar, ser grato, ser grata, ficar agradecido, ficar agradecida
• Russian: быть признательным
• Spanish: agradecer, apreciar

• French: apprécier à sa juste valeur
• German: zu schätzen wissen, würdigen
• Italian: apprezzare
• Portuguese: valorizar, dar valor
• Russian: оце́нивать
• Spanish: valorar

• French: se rendre bien compte de
• German: verstehen, begreifen
• Italian: capire, rendersi conto
• Portuguese: compreender
• Russian: принима́ть во внима́ние
• Spanish: comprender, hacerse cargo de

• French: prendre de la valeur
• German: im Wert steigen
• Italian: valorizzarsi
• Portuguese: valorizar
• Russian: дорожа́ть
• Spanish: aumentar su valor