Appraise vs. apprise: what's the difference?
Though they look similar, appraise and apprise have distinct meanings and uses in English. Understanding the difference is crucial for clear communication.
- Appraise (verb) — to assess the value or quality of something, or to officially examine and state how much it's worth.
- Apprise (verb) — to inform or tell somebody of something.
Definitions and usage
Appraise (verb)
To assess the value or quality of something, or to officially examine and state how much it's worth.
• Her eyes coolly appraised him.
• She stepped back to appraise her workmanship.
• The architect gave the building's exterior an appraising glance.
Apprise (verb)
To inform or tell somebody of something.
• He saw no reason to apprise the committee of what had happened.
• We were made fully apprised of the situation.
• Let me apprise you of where we stand in the discussion.
Pro tip! Remember that appraise = "AI" for Assess value or set a prIce, while apprise = "I" for Inform. Associate appraise with "assessing value" (like appraising a house) and apprise with "informing" someone (like apprising them of news).
To appraise means to "consider or examine somebody/something and form an opinion about it"; also, relatedly, "to officially examine a building, an object, etc. and say how much it is worth."
To apprise is when we "tell or inform somebody of something." Its synonyms include words like inform, notify, or make (someone/something) aware.
Word forms
Apprise:
• Verb forms: apprises, apprising, apprised
Synonyms & nearby words
Synonyms for appraise
Synonyms for apprise
Word origins
Appraise: c. 1400, appreisen, "to set a value on," from stem of Old French aprisier "appraise, set a price on" (14c., Modern French apprécier), from Late Latin appretiare "value, estimate," from ad "to" + pretium "price".
Apprise: "To notify, give notice," 1690s, from French appris, etymologically "to lay hold of (in the mind)," from Latin apprehendere "take hold of, grasp" mentally or physically.
Practice quiz: Appraise vs. Apprise
The jeweler will ______ the value of the ring.
Please ______ me of any changes to the schedule.
It is important to ______ the situation before making a decision.
The manager will ______ the team of the new policy.
An expert was called to ______ the painting.
FAQs
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Sources
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Oxford English Dictionary, “audit (n.),” September 2025, https://doi.org/10.1093/OED/5843012573.
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