Appreciation: meaning, definitions and examples

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appreciation

[əˌpriː.ʃiˈeɪ.ʃən ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

feeling of gratitude

Appreciation is the recognition and enjoyment of the good qualities of someone or something. It involves feeling thankful and showing gratitude towards others for their actions or attributes.

Synonyms

acknowledgment, gratitude, recognition.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
appreciation	Used when expressing a warm or positive feeling towards someone or something due to their actions, qualities, or efforts. It often implies a deeper emotional response. I have a deep appreciation for all your hard work this year. Her appreciation for fine art is evident in her detailed critiques.
gratitude	Expresses a feeling of thankfulness or deep appreciation, usually in a more personal and heartfelt manner. It often involves a sense of indebtedness. I sent her a letter expressing my gratitude for her kindness. His eyes filled with gratitude when he received the unexpected gift.
recognition	Refers to the action of identifying or acknowledging someone's achievements, status, or effort. It is often used in formal contexts such as awards or titles. She received recognition for her innovative research in the field. The team sought recognition for their months of hard work on the project.
acknowledgment	Used to signify recognition or acceptance of something or someone. It often implies a formal act of recognizing someone's effort or existence. She gave a brief acknowledgment of their contributions during her speech. His acknowledgment of his mistake helped resolve the issue.

Examples of usage

I would like to express my appreciation for all the hard work you have done.
She showed her appreciation by giving him a heartfelt thank you card.
We want to show our appreciation for your dedication to the team.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

increase in value

Appreciation can also refer to the increase in value of an asset over time. It is commonly used in the context of investments or real estate.

Synonyms

growth, increase, rise.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
appreciation	This word is often used to express gratitude or recognition of value. It can refer to acknowledging someone's efforts or the increase in the value of an asset. I want to express my appreciation for your hard work The appreciation of the property value was a pleasant surprise
growth	Growth is used when referring to an increase in size, number, value, or strength. It is commonly used in contexts related to business, personal development, or nature. The company has seen significant growth over the past years Personal growth is essential for a fulfilling life
rise	Rise is used to indicate a movement upwards or an increase in level. It can have a physical or abstract application, such as in reference to stocks, the sun, or one's status. The rise in temperature is alarming He experienced a rapid rise in his career
increase	Increase is used to describe a rise in quantity, number, or degree. It is a general term that can be used in various contexts such as finances, population, or temperature. There was an increase in sales last quarter We've noticed an increase in the number of applicants

Examples of usage

The property has seen significant appreciation in value over the past few years.
His art collection has experienced considerable appreciation in the market.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'appretiare,' meaning to value or appraise, which emphasizes its roots in valuing things.
In the 18th century, the term began to be used more broadly to include emotional or aesthetic feelings towards things.

Psychology

Research shows that practicing gratitude, which is linked to appreciation, can significantly increase overall happiness levels.
Feeling appreciation activates areas in the brain associated with pleasure, reinforcing positive feelings.
Regularly expressing appreciation can improve mental health, helping to reduce anxiety and depression.

Art and Culture

In many cultures, expressing appreciation is an integral part of social rituals and is often tied to showing respect.
Artworks, music, and performances often aim to provoke appreciation in their audience by highlighting beauty and skill.
Cultural expressions of appreciation can differ; for instance, in some cultures, verbal 'thank yous' are less common, yet appreciation is shown through actions.

Pop Culture

The 'Thank You' movement, which gained traction through social media, encourages people to express appreciation for everyday acts of kindness.
'Appreciation posts' have become a trend online, where users highlight and thank others for their contributions to their lives.

Science

Studies indicate that people who regularly practice appreciation have stronger relationships and greater social support.
Neurological studies suggest that appreciation can lead to long-lasting changes in brain function, promoting resilience.

Translations

Translations of the word "appreciation" in other languages:

🇵🇹 apreciação

🇮🇳 सराहना (sarāhanā)

🇩🇪 Anerkennung

🇮🇩 penghargaan

🇺🇦 оцінка

🇵🇱 uznanie

🇯🇵 感謝 (kansha)

🇫🇷 appréciation

🇪🇸 aprecio

🇹🇷 takdir

🇰🇷 감사 (gamsa)

🇸🇦 تقدير (taqdeer)

🇨🇿 ocenění

🇸🇰 ocenenie

🇨🇳 欣赏 (xīnshǎng)

🇸🇮 cenitev

🇮🇸 þakklæti

🇰🇿 құрмет (qurmet)

🇬🇪 ფასეულობა (paseuloba)

🇦🇿 qiymətləndirmə

🇲🇽 aprecio

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,727, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.

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3724 technological
3725 privileges
3726 migration
3727 appreciation
3728 specially
3729 breeding
3730 syndrome
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