What does value mean?
Value is a flexible English word used for both abstract and concrete worth. As a noun, it may refer to the importance or usefulness of an idea, the benefit provided by an action, the monetary price of an object or service, the numerical result of a calculation, or a set of principles regarded as important. As a verb, value means to appreciate or rate something highly, as in valuing honesty, or to estimate its worth. These related meanings give the word a consistently positive implication: something valued is considered useful, admirable, or worthy of attention. The phrase "value for money" emphasizes whether something is worth its cost, while "value proposition" refers to the benefits a product or service offers its customers. Value can also have a more critical use when people question the value of a policy, expense, or project. Because it ranges from abstract moral importance to precise economic assessment, value is useful wherever significance, benefit, or worth needs to be expressed.
The importance, usefulness, benefit, or worth assigned to something; also the monetary worth of a person or thing.
"The educational value of the museum's interactive exhibits was immediately apparent."
The plural values commonly refers to principles or standards held in high esteem. In technical contexts, value may denote a numerical quantity represented by an expression or symbol.
To regard someone or something as important, useful, or worthwhile; also to estimate or assess its worth.
"The company values employees who communicate across different teams."
The expression "value something as something" is especially common. This use may sound businesslike, but it is fully standard in general English.
The plural is used for separate instances of worth and especially for principles or standards regarded as important.
"The debate centered on competing political values rather than party loyalty."
Value began with a remarkably practical idea: the Latin valēre meant both "to be strong" and "to be worth."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does value come from?
The word entered Middle English from Old French valour, a word based on Latin valēre, meaning "to be strong" or "to be worth." Its early English senses included courage, strength, and worth before it developed into the modern meanings of monetary value, importance, and usefulness. The verb developed from the idea of estimating or assigning worth, while related words such as valid, invalid, and valiant ultimately share the same Latin root.
Related word forms
How value is actually used
In its abstract sense, value often suggests importance, usefulness, or moral worth. In business and everyday contexts, it frequently refers to financial worth or benefit. The plural values commonly means principles or standards, while the verb is especially natural in the construction "value something as something."
Easily confused with value
A valve regulates the flow of a fluid or gas, whereas value concerns importance, usefulness, or worth.