Appraise vs. apprise: What's the Difference?

Appraise vs. Apprise: What’s the Difference?

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Do appraise and apprise mean the same thing or is there a difference? These verbs are easily confused, but they don’t have the same meaning. Appraise means to value, and apprise means to tell. 

Appraise Meaning

What does appraise mean? Appraise is a transitive verb that means to estimate the value of something or to judge its worth or significance. Appraise also means to give an opinion about someone or something, usually a job performance appraisal. You can also appraise risks to evaluate the chances that an event might happen in the future.

Examples of Appraise in a Sentence

  • The appraiser appraised all the antiques for auction to see how much they’re worth.
  • I appraised my jewelry at a value of $8,500. 
  • While appraising job performances, I issued an appraisal to Connie that she could improve her skills in management and communication. 

Apprise Meaning

What does apprise mean? Apprise means to inform someone of something. It is a transitive verb, meaning it takes an object. It’s often used in formal phrases like keep me apprised, please be apprised, and keep (someone) apprised of (something).

Examples of Apprise in a Sentence

  • I apprised my boss of my intention to go on vacation.
  • She apprised me of the new company policies. 

Is Apprize a Word?

According to Fowler’s Dictionary of Modern English Usage, apprise should not be spelled apprize. 

However, Merriam-Webster lists apprize as a transitive verb that means value or appreciate, which would give it a similar meaning to appraise. 

Appraise vs. Apprise Quiz

Choose the best word to complete each sentence. The answers are at the bottom of this blog post.

  1. We appraised/apprised our employees about the new changes in the office. 
  2. As an experienced jewelry appraiser/appriser, I can tell you that that ring is only worth $100.
  3. He appraised/apprised the worth of the antiques before setting fire to the room. 
  4. The house was appraised/apprised at a value of $500,000, but she still didn’t want to sell it.
  5. They appraised/apprised him of his rights before taking him down to the station.

Final Thoughts on Appraise vs. Apprise

As they are homophones, it’s easy to confuse the words appraise and apprise. They sound the same and their spellings are similar. Just one letter in the difference! However, they have different meanings. 

Just remember that to appraise means to estimate the value of something, whereas to apprise means to tell or inform someone of something. 

Appraise vs. Apprise Quiz Answers

  1. We apprised our employees about the new changes in the office. 
  2. As an experienced jewelry appraiser, I can tell you that that ring is only worth $100.
  3. He appraised the worth of the antiques before setting fire to the room. 
  4. The house was appraised at a value of $500,000, but she still didn’t want to sell it.
  5. They apprised him of his rights before taking him down to the station.

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