appreciate | meaning of appreciate in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English | LDOCE
appreciate
ap‧pre‧ci‧ate
/
əˈpriːʃieɪt
/
●●○
S3
W3
AWL
verb
1
[
transitive
]
UNDERSTAND
to understand how serious or important a situation or problem is or what someone’s feelings are
SYN
realize
appreciate the significance/importance/value of something
He did not fully appreciate the significance of signing the contract.
appreciate that
We appreciate that caring for children is an important job.
appreciate what/how/why
It is difficult to appreciate how bad the situation had become.
2
[
transitive
]
THANK
used to thank someone in a polite way or to say that you are grateful for something they have done
Thanks ever so much for your help, I really appreciate it.
I
appreciate
your
concern
, but honestly, I’m fine.
I’d appreciate it if
you let me get on with my job.
3
[
transitive
]
UNDERSTAND
to understand how good or useful someone or something is
Her abilities are not fully appreciated by her employer.
I’m not an expert, but I appreciate fine works of art.
4
[
intransitive
]
technical
VALUE
to gradually become more valuable over a period of time
OPP
depreciate
Most investments are expected to appreciate at a steady rate.
Grammar
Patterns with appreciate
•
You say:
I appreciate your advice
I appreciate having your advice.
✗
Don’t say:
I appreciate to have your advice.
Using the progressive
•
Appreciate
is not used in the progressive in meanings 1,2, and 3. You say:
I appreciate what you are saying.
✗
Don’t say:
I am appreciating what you are saying.
•
Appreciate
is used in the progressive in meaning 4:
The value of his work is still appreciating.
