value

noun val·ue \ ˈval-(ˌ)yü \

Updated on: 5 Dec 2017

Definition of value

1 : the monetary worth of something : market price

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

3 : relative worth, utility, or importance

a good value at the price

the value of base stealing in baseball

had nothing of value to say

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

sought material values instead of human values
—W. H. Jones

5 : 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

6 : the relative duration of a musical note

7 a : relative lightness or darkness of a color : luminosity

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

8 : denomination 2

—

valueless

play \ˈval-(ˌ)yü-ləs, -yə-\ adjective

—

valuelessness

noun

See value defined for English-language learners

See value defined for kids

Examples of value in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of value from the Web

The Cohens credit this in part to the fact that there seemed to be value in a two-candy-in-one deal during the Depression.

— emma wartzman, Bon Appetit, "The Most Popular Candy of Every Decade," 30 Oct. 2017
Shop David Yurman Sunglasses When searching for the best value in eyewear, look no further than Jacques Marie Mage.

— scott christian, Esquire, "7 Pieces Where You Can Feel the Hand of the Maker," 23 Oct. 2017
Average franchise values for the National Basketball Association and Major League Baseball each grew by about 10% annually over that quarter-century.

— tom saler, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Saler: In a world of supply and demand, overexposure may explain the slide in NFL ratings," 4 Nov. 2017
Service Express' employees gave the company exceptionally high scores for operating by strong values and ethics; confidence in leadership, and feeling appreciated.

— susan tompor, Detroit Free Press, "4 Michigan companies join Free Press Top Workplaces Circle of Excellence," 4 Nov. 2017
At its lowest point Friday, $2.76, the decline knocked off about $280 million from Penney’s market value, which is now below $1 billion.

— cara lombardo, WSJ, "J.C. Penney Shares Plummet on Bleak Profit Outlook," 27 Oct. 2017
But according to a report from Realtor.com, smaller homes are actually appreciating in value faster than larger ones.

— courtney campbell, Country Living, "The Problem with Tiny Houses That No One Talks About," 24 Oct. 2017
The BA Test Kitchen editors sniffed, swirled, and slurped 20-plus supermarket brands in search of value.

— claire saffitz and belle cushing, Bon Appetit, "How to Buy the Best Olive Oil for Whatever You're Cooking," 24 Oct. 2017
And while investors might hope that their tokens appreciate in value, as those in the bitcoin and Ethereum networks have done, that may not happen.

— david meyer, Fortune, "The Wolf of Wall Street Thinks Some ICOs Are 'The Biggest Scam Ever'," 23 Oct. 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of value

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

value Synonyms

Synonyms

valuation, worth

Antonyms

deficiency, demerit, disvalue

Related Words

charge, cost, fee, figure, price, rate; appraisal, assessment, estimate, estimation, evaluation; face value, list price, unit price

Near Antonyms

blemish, defect, failing, fault, flaw; drawback, minus, negative

Other Economics Terms

actuary, compound interest, globalization, indemnity, portfolio, rentier, stagflation, usurer

value

verb

Definition of value

valued; valuing

transitive verb

1 : to consider or rate highly : prize, esteem

values your opinion

2 a : to estimate or assign the monetary worth of : appraise

value a necklace

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

—

valuer

play \ˈval-yə-wər\ noun

See value defined for English-language learners

Examples of value in a Sentence

She values the time she spends with her family.
The items are highly valued by collectors.
The herbs are valued for their medicinal properties.

Recent Examples of value from the Web

After William died of tuberculosis in 1881, his share of Winchester Repeating Arms Co.—roughly 50 percent, which was valued at approximately $20 million at the time, the L.A. Times reports—transferred to Sarah.

— maria carter, Country Living, "The Bizarre History of California's Winchester Mystery House," 12 Oct. 2017
On the more luxurious end: a presidential platinum Rolex valued at $64,000 (someone bought it for $32,000, Cantrell says), Versace runway samples, and a loose 40-karat emerald that sat in the store for five years.

— andrea whittle, CNT, "The Weirdest Things Left on Planes," 27 Sep. 2017
But in a statement, the company disputed The Times’ estimates and analysis valuing Disney’s Anaheim incentives at more than $1 billion, arguing that future benefits and protections to the company shouldn’t be part of the calculation.

— daniel miller, www.latimes.com, "Is Disney paying its share in Anaheim?," 24 Sep. 2017
Back at work, Molly realizes once and for all that her current firm doesn’t value her.

— cate young, Cosmopolitan, "Insecure's Second Season Ends With Some Closure and Lots of Questions," 11 Sep. 2017
During a robbery on Oct. 20, a cellphone, two iPods and a 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer valued at $5,000 were taken, according to a statement from Daniel S. Kizer, Denton police spokesman.

— mitch mitchell, star-telegram, "Two teens arrested in Denton suspected in multiple armed delivery driver holdups," 1 Nov. 2017
And now, yoga philosophy—a part of my culture!—was valued by so many in the United States.

— rina deshpande, SELF, "Yoga in America Often Exploits My Culture—but You May Not Even Realize It," 27 Oct. 2017
Boeing is scheduled to begin initial deliveries next year for the first of 80 aircraft ordered by Iran Air under a deal valued at $16.6 billion before customary discounts.

— nick wadhams, Bloomberg.com, "Tillerson Warns Against Doing Business With Iran’s Revolutionary Guards," 22 Oct. 2017
They are valued to be worth more than any minor league franchise except for a couple in Triple A. The Dragons did it in a downtown area that had grown worn.

— jeff jacobs, courant.com, "Jeff Jacobs: Only Losers In Yard Goats First Season? The Haters," 31 Aug. 2017

Origin and Etymology of value

Middle English valuen, borrowed from Anglo-French valuer "to estimate, be worth," verbal derivative of value ¹value

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

value Synonyms

Synonyms

appreciate, cherish, prize, treasure, love

Antonyms

disvalue

Related Words

delight (in), dig, enjoy, fancy, groove (on), like, relish, revel (in); admire, apprize, esteem, regard, respect, revere, reverence, venerate; enshrine, memorialize; adore, caress, dote (on), idolize, worship

Near Antonyms

undervalue; abhor, abominate, despise, detest, execrate, hate, loathe; disdain, high-hat, scorn, scout, slight, sniff (at), snub; bad-mouth, belittle, cry down, decry, deprecate, depreciate, disparage, kiss off, minimize, put down, write off; abandon, forget, neglect

Synonym Discussion of 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

Other Economics Terms

actuary, compound interest, globalization, indemnity, portfolio, rentier, stagflation, usurer

VALUE Defined for English Language Learners

value

noun

Definition of value for English Language Learners

: the amount of money that something is worth : the price or cost of something
: something that can be bought for a low or fair price
: usefulness or importance

value

verb

Definition of value for English Language Learners

: to make a judgment about the amount of money that something is worth
: to think that (someone or something) is important or useful

VALUE Defined for Kids

value

noun val·ue \ ˈval-yü \

Definition of value for Students

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

2 : worth in money

3 : worth, usefulness, or importance in comparison with something else

The letter is of great historical value.

4 : a principle or quality that is valuable or desirable

They shared many goals and values.

5 : a numerical quantity that is assigned or found by calculation

What is the value of x?

value

verb

Definition of value for Students

valued; valuing

1 : to estimate the worth of

The necklace is valued at 200 dollars.

2 : to think highly of

I value your friendship.

Law Dictionary

value

noun val·ue \ ˈval-yü \

legal Definition of value

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

received good value for the price

b : valuable consideration at consideration

2 : monetary worth; especially : market value

—

valueless

adjective

value

transitive verb

legal Definition of value

valued; valuing

: to estimate or determine the monetary value of

Learn More about value

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for value Spanish Central: Translation of value Nglish: Translation of value for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of value for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about value

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Definition of value

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valuelessness

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Examples of value in a Sentence

Recent Examples of value from the Web

Origin and Etymology of value

value Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Other Economics Terms

value

Definition of value

valuer

Examples of value in a Sentence

Recent Examples of value from the Web

Origin and Etymology of value

value Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Synonym Discussion of value

Other Economics Terms

Phrases Related to VALUE

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VALUE Defined for English Language Learners

value

Definition of value for English Language Learners

value

Definition of value for English Language Learners

VALUE Defined for Kids

value

Definition of value for Students

value

Definition of value for Students

Law Dictionary

value

legal Definition of value

valueless

value

legal Definition of value

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