What does "value" mean?
The quality that renders something desirable or valuable; worth.
Value
/ˈvæl.ju/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The quality that renders something desirable or valuable; worth.
- Grammar: value is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: worth, absolute value, academic importance, accent.
- Useful contrasts: expensive, existential void, slight amount.
- Usage evidence: The value of education cannot be overemphasized.
How to use "value"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "value" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "value" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "value" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "value" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "value" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "worth" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "value", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The quality that renders something desirable or valuable; worth. countable, uncountable
"There is tremendous value in a good education."
- 2 relative darkness or lightness of a color wordnet
- 3 The degree of importance given to something. uncountable
"The value of my children's happiness is second only to that of my wife."
- 4 the quality (positive or negative) that renders something desirable or valuable wordnet
- 5 That which is valued or highly esteemed, such as one's morals, morality, or belief system. countable, often, plural, uncountable
"He does not share his parents' values."
Show 12 more definitions
- 6 a numerical quantity measured or assigned or computed wordnet
- 7 The amount (of money or goods or services) that is considered to be a fair equivalent for something else. countable, uncountable
"The value of the stolen painting is estimated to be around four million pounds."
- 8 an ideal accepted by some individual or group wordnet
- 9 The relative duration of a musical note. countable, uncountable
"The value of a crotchet is twice that of a quaver."
- 10 the amount (of money or goods or services) that is considered to be a fair equivalent for something else wordnet
- 11 The relative darkness or lightness of a color in (a specific area of) a painting etc. countable, uncountable
"When pigments of equal value are mixed together, the resulting color will be a darker value. This is the result of subtraction."
- 12 (music) the relative duration of a musical note wordnet
- 13 Any definite numerical quantity or other mathematical object, determined by being measured, computed, or otherwise defined. countable, uncountable
"The exact value of pi cannot be represented in decimal notation."
- 14 Precise meaning; import. countable, uncountable
"the value of a word; the value of a legal instrument"
- 15 The valuable ingredients to be obtained by treating a mass or compound; specifically, the precious metals contained in rock, gravel, etc. countable, in-plural, uncountable
"The vein carries good values."
- 16 Esteem; regard. countable, obsolete, uncountable
"The French have a high value for them ; and I confess they are often what they call delicate"
- 17 Valour. countable, obsolete, uncountable
"Who ſoone prepard to field, his ſword forth drew, / And him with equall valew counteruayld: […]"
Verb
- 1 To determine or estimate the value of; to judge the worth of.
"I will have the family jewels valued by a professional."
- 2 estimate the value of wordnet
- 3 To regard highly; think much of; place importance upon.
"Gold was valued highly among the Romans."
- 4 evaluate or estimate the nature, quality, ability, extent, or significance of wordnet
- 5 To hold dear; to cherish.
"I value these old photographs."
Show 3 more definitions
- 6 regard highly; think much of wordnet
- 7 fix or determine the value of; assign a value to wordnet
- 8 hold dear wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"The value of education cannot be overemphasized."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "value"?
Common synonyms include: worth, absolute value, academic importance, accent, accord respect to, account.
How do you use "value" in a sentence?
The value of education cannot be overemphasized.
How do you pronounce "value"?
Pronounced /ˈvæl.ju/.
Etymology
From Middle English valew, value, from Old French value, feminine past participle of valoir, from Latin valēre (“be strong, be worth”), from Proto-Italic *walēō, from Proto-Indo-European *h₂welh₁- (“to be strong”).