What does appraisement mean?
Appraisement is a noun denoting the act of determining the value, worth, or quality of something, typically through careful expert judgment. It is closely related to the more familiar word 'appraisal', and the two are largely interchangeable in meaning, though 'appraisement' carries a distinctly formal, even legalistic tone today. It appears most often in contexts such as property valuations, probate and inheritance proceedings, insurance assessments, and historical records, where an official estimate of value was required. The word can also extend to figurative judgments of merit, as in an appraisement of someone's performance or character. Derived from the verb 'appraise', which traces back through Old French to Latin roots relating to price and value, it belongs to a family that includes 'appraisal', 'appraiser', and 'appreciate'. For general writing, 'appraisal' is usually the better choice, but 'appraisement' remains useful when a weightier, more institutional register is desired.
nounThe act or process of assessing the value or quality of something, especially by an expert; a formal valuation.
- The act of estimating the value or worth of something, especially formally or officially.
- A formal assessment of quality or merit, as of a person's work or performance.
"The court ordered an independent appraisement of the estate before dividing the assets among the heirs."
"An appraisement of the damaged cargo was carried out before the insurance claim could be settled."
"Her annual appraisement noted both her technical skill and her growing leadership."
Rarely pluralized; the plural appears mainly in legal or administrative records referring to multiple valuations.
"The archive contains numerous appraisements of estates dating from the eighteenth century."
'Appraisement' is the older, statelier cousin of 'appraisal' — you'll still meet it in wills, insurance policies, and court records long after everyday speech moved on.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of appraisement
Appraisement derives from the verb 'appraise', which entered English from Anglo-Norman and Old French forms based on Late Latin 'appretiare', meaning to set a price on, from 'pretium' (price). The noun form arose as a natural derivative meaning the action or result of appraising. It shares this Latin root with cognates such as 'praise', 'precious', 'appreciate', and 'price' itself, all ultimately concerned with value.
Related word forms
How appraisement is actually used
Formal and somewhat old-fashioned in register; in ordinary modern usage 'appraisal' is strongly preferred. 'Appraisement' persists chiefly in legal documents, historical texts, and official proceedings.
Easily confused with appraisement
Both mean a valuation, but 'appraisal' is the far more common modern word in everyday and professional use, while 'appraisement' survives mainly in legal, historical, and formal contexts.