What does valued mean?
Valued is an English adjective and verb expressing both appreciation and appraisal. In its most common adjectival use, it describes a person, thing, quality, or contribution regarded as important, useful, or worthy of respect: a trusted colleague may describe an employee's judgment as highly valued. The word often suggests more than simple usefulness, because it can imply gratitude, esteem, or emotional attachment, although the tone varies with context. In its second major use, valued means assigned or estimated a particular worth, especially monetary value, as in a statement that an asset was valued at a certain amount. As a verb, value can likewise mean to appraise something or to regard it highly. The word is used in both formal and everyday contexts, from personal communication to business, finance, law, and education. Its distinctive feature is the combination of economic assessment and human appreciation within a single familiar word.
Regarded as important, useful, or worthy of esteem; or assigned a particular monetary or material worth.
"The guidance of experienced teachers is valued throughout the school."
The adjective is very common in personal, professional, and institutional contexts. Its use with a price or appraisal is more formal and quantitative.
To assess or appraise the worth of something, especially its monetary value; to regard it as important or worthy of esteem.
"The insurance company valued the building after the fire."
As a verb, valued is especially common in financial, legal, and business contexts. In the sense of holding something in high esteem, it often conveys approval or deep appreciation.
The word valued preserves an old idea of strength: its root, Latin valere, meant to be strong or to be worth.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does valued come from?
The word belongs to a family derived from Latin valere, meaning to be strong, to have worth, or to be well. It entered English through Old French and Middle English forms related to value, and the established sense of regarding something as worthy developed alongside the older sense of estimating its worth. Related words such as valuable, valuation, and valuer reflect the same historical root, while valiant ultimately connects with the Latin idea of being strong or efficacious.
Related word forms
How valued is actually used
As an adjective, valued commonly suggests that something is appreciated or important, often in a lasting or personal sense. As a verb, it is especially common in financial, legal, and professional contexts and may sound formal or impersonal in statements about assessment.
Easily confused with valued
Value is the worth or importance of something, whereas valued describes something that is regarded positively or has been assigned a worth.