appreciate
gb/əpɹˈiʃiˌeɪt/ us/əpɹˈiʃiˌeɪt/
A2
English
~ 2100
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
Recognize value or quality
To see and understand that someone or something is good or important.
Usage pattern:
to appreciate [something/someone]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'appreciate' with 'like'. 'Appreciate' means to recognize value, not just to enjoy something casually.
Synonyms
value (Often used for recognizing worth in a more general or less emotional sense.)
|
respect (Emphasizes esteem or regard, especially toward people.)
Antonyms
disregard (Fails to notice or respect the value of something.)
Collocations
deeply appreciate
|truly appreciate
|greatly appreciate
|appreciate the effort
|appreciate the support
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I really appreciate your help with the project.
- She appreciates his honesty and hard work.
- We appreciate the beauty of the sunset from our balcony.
- I appreciate your taking the time to explain this.
- He appreciates the importance of arriving on time.
Learner examples
- I appreciate your help.
- She appreciates her teacher.
- We appreciate your time.
- They appreciate good food.
- He appreciates his friends.
Verb
A2
action
2
Be grateful for something
To feel thankful when someone does something for you.
Usage pattern:
to appreciate [something/someone]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes overuse 'thank you' instead of 'I appreciate...' in formal or polite contexts where 'appreciate' sounds more natural.
Synonyms
be thankful for (Directly expresses gratitude in simple terms.)
Antonyms
be ungrateful for (Shows no thanks or positive feeling for what was given or done.)
Collocations
really appreciate it
|appreciate your help
|appreciate your support
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I appreciate your help with carrying the boxes.
- We truly appreciate everything you've done for us.
- He appreciates the kindness shown by his neighbors.
- I would appreciate your advice on this matter.
- They appreciate the donation to their cause.
Learner examples
- I appreciate your help.
- We appreciate your time.
- She appreciates his gift.
- They appreciate our visit.
- I would appreciate your advice.
Verb
B2
action
3
Increase in monetary value
To become worth more money over time.
Usage pattern:
[something] appreciates in value
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this with 'increase' generally, but 'appreciate' in this sense is mainly used for financial value or worth.
Synonyms
gain value (Informal alternative for financial increase.)
Antonyms
depreciate (To decrease in value over time.)
Collocations
property appreciates
|assets appreciate
|investment appreciates
Themes
business
|finance
Examples
- The value of their house has appreciated significantly since they bought it.
- Stocks tend to appreciate over the long term.
- Her investment appreciated by 20% in two years.
- Land often appreciates in rapidly growing cities.
- The currency has appreciated against the dollar.
Learner examples
- The house appreciated in value.
- My car did not appreciate.
- Gold can appreciate over time.
- The land appreciated quickly.
- His shares appreciated a lot.
Verb
formal
B2
action
4
Understand fully or clearly
To understand something well and see why it is important or serious.
Usage pattern:
to appreciate [that + clause]
Common mistake:
Learners might confuse this with simply 'know'. 'Appreciate' here means to understand deeply, not just be aware of something.
Synonyms
comprehend (Focuses on grasping meaning, though sometimes less formal than 'appreciate' in this sense.)
Antonyms
misunderstand (Fails to grasp meaning or importance.)
Collocations
appreciate the importance of
|appreciate the fact that
Themes
understanding
|communication
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I appreciate that this decision will affect everyone involved.
- We must appreciate the risks before proceeding.
- She appreciates how difficult this task will be.
- You need to appreciate that time is limited.
- They did not fully appreciate the danger they were in.
Learner examples
- I appreciate that this is important.
- We appreciate that it is hard work.
- She appreciates that people are busy.
- You must appreciate that we have little time.
- They appreciate that this is dangerous.
Grammar
Dictionary form
appreciate
IPA
GB/əpɹˈiʃiˌeɪt/
US/əpɹˈiʃiˌeɪt/
Syllables & stress
ap - pre - ci - ate (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (pre)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: appreciate
- 3rd Person Singular: appreciates
- Present Participle: appreciating
- Past: appreciated
Word family
Forms
appreciates
verb
appreciating
verb
appreciated
verb
Core family
appreciation
noun B2
appreciative
adjective B1
Related words
appreciatively
adverb
appreciable
adjective
appreciably
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
Expressions
I’d appreciate your [noun/verb-ing]
1/ˈaɪd əpɹˈiʃiˌeɪt jˈʊɹ nˈaʊnvɚb ˈɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Polite request format
A polite way to say you want someone to do something.
Examples
- I’d appreciate your calling me back as soon as possible.
- I’d appreciate your help with these forms.
much appreciated
1/mˈʌt͡ʃ əpɹˈiʃiˌeɪtɪd/
fixed phrase
Thank you; very grateful
A short way to say you are very thankful for something someone did.
Examples
- Thanks for helping me move—much appreciated!
- Your patience is much appreciated during this delay.
would appreciate it if
1/wˈʊd əpɹˈiʃiˌeɪt ˈɪt ˈɪf/
fixed phrase
Polite request phrase
A polite way to ask someone to do something for you.
Examples
- I would appreciate it if you could send me the report by Friday.
- We would appreciate it if you didn't smoke inside.