assess
Americanverb (used with object)
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to estimate officially the value of (property, income, etc.) as a basis for taxation.
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to fix or determine the amount of (damages, a tax, a fine, etc.).
The hurricane damage was assessed at six million dollars.
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to impose a tax or other charge on.
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to estimate or judge the value, character, etc., of; evaluate.
to assess one's efforts.
- Synonyms:
- appraise
verb
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to judge the worth, importance, etc, of; evaluate
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(foll by at) to estimate the value of (income, property, etc) for taxation purposes
the estate was assessed at three thousand pounds
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to determine the amount of (a fine, tax, damages, etc)
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to impose a tax, fine, etc, on (a person or property)
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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assesssimple
-
assessessimple
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have assessedperfect
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has assessedperfect
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am assessingprogressive
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are assessingprogressive
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is assessingprogressive
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have been assessingperfect progressive
-
has been assessingperfect progressive
Past
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assessedsimple
-
had assessedperfect
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was assessingprogressive
-
were assessingprogressive
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had been assessingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of assess
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English assessen, from Old French assesser, from Medieval Latin assessāre “to assess a tax,” derivative of Latin assessus “seated beside (a judge)” (past participle of assidēre ), equivalent to as- “toward” + sed- (stem of sedēre “to sit”) + -tus past participle suffix; see as-, sit 1
Explanation
Before you try to sell your car, you should ask an expert to assess its value — once you know what it's worth, it's easier to find a fair price. When you assess a matter, you make a judgment about it. The verb assess has the general meaning of determining the importance or value of something. It also has a few specialized uses having to do with amounts of money, such as fines, fees, and taxes. It can mean to set the value of property for purposes of taxation, or to charge a person or business a tax or fee. Assess comes from Anglo-French usage, and is ultimately derived from the Latin verb assidēre, "to sit as a judge."
Vocabulary lists containing assess
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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Save Me a Seat
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The directive advises officers arriving at a scene to assess whether a dog may be present and reminds them their main concern upon arrival is “safety.”
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 20, 2026
Working families may have more volatile incomes, making it harder for state agencies to assess benefits accurately.
From Salon • Jun. 18, 2026
The study did not assess cause, but the authors suggested the increased intensity of elite football and crowded match calendars might be factors.
From BBC • Jun. 17, 2026
In March 2025, the company announced a partnership with Nvidia to accelerate the development of AI technologies to drive efficiency in drive-through ordering and call center operations as well as to assess restaurant performance.
From Barron's • Jun. 16, 2026
“I understand. You needn’t worry about that. I was asking because I need to assess the food supply. Some are saying there are fewer fish than there once were. Look here, what I’ve been writing.”
From "Messenger" by Lois Lowry
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
