GRE Vocabulary: Understanding the Word ‘Appraise’
Learn the meaning, usage, and origin of ‘appraise’ for your GRE prep. Discover its synonyms, antonyms, and common usage errors to enhance your vocabulary and improve your language skills.
Imagine you’re browsing an antique shop and stumble upon a mysterious old painting. How much could it be worth?
To find out, you’d need someone to appraise it. Today, we’re exploring the word appraise, a valuable addition to your GRE vocabulary arsenal.
Word type: Appraise is a verb.
Meaning: To appraise means to assess the value, quality, or importance of something or someone.
It involves carefully examining and evaluating to form an educated opinion or judgment.
Word history:
The word appraise has an interesting etymology. It comes from the Late Latin word appretiare, which means to set a price to.
This term is composed of ad, meaning to, and pretium, meaning price. Over time, it evolved through Old French as appriser before entering the English language in the mid-fifteenth century.
Antonyms: Some antonyms of appraise include disregard, ignore, and neglect. These words represent the opposite of carefully evaluating something.
Synonyms: Synonyms for appraise include assess, evaluate, estimate, judge, and gauge. These words all involve forming an opinion about the value or quality of something.
Examples use in sentences: Let’s look at some examples of how to use appraise in sentences. The art expert was called in to appraise the newly discovered painting, which was rumored to be a lost masterpiece.
As part of the annual review process, managers must appraise their employees’ performance and provide constructive feedback.
Before selling your home, it’s wise to have a professional appraiser appraise its value in the current real estate market.
Common errors in use: One common error when using appraise is confusing it with apprise. While they sound similar, apprise means to inform or notify.
For example, You should apprise your team of the new project deadlines is correct, but You should appraise your team of the new project deadlines is incorrect.
Another mistake is using appraise when praise is intended. Remember, to appraise is to evaluate, while to praise is to express approval or admiration.
In conclusion, mastering the word appraise will not only boost your GRE vocabulary but also enhance your ability to discuss evaluation and assessment in various contexts.
Whether you’re appraising art, performance, or ideas, this word allows you to express the act of careful evaluation with precision and clarity.
