value
value — noun
1. the money that something could sell for if someone wanted to buy it
the money that something could sell for if someone wanted to buy it
The value of Élise's apartment rose sharply after the new train station opened.
value + rise/fall (collocation for price change)
Antique dealers calculate the value of old furniture before they make an offer.
Land in this area tends to hold its value better than in other parts of the city.
hold its value (idiom for maintaining worth)
The market value of the painting was much higher than the auction house had expected.
Nobody at the garage sale could agree on the value of the old vinyl records.
- market value
- resale value
- property values
- face value
- street value
- rise in value
- fall in value
- price
the specific amount asked or paid, whereas 'value' is a broader assessment
- worth
similar meaning but slightly more subjective and less technical
- market price
the current value determined by what buyers are willing to pay
Grammar Patterns
the value of [something]
[something]'s value
Usage Note
Often used with prepositions 'of' (the value of something) or 'at' (valued at an amount). The plural 'values' can refer to prices of multiple items ('property values have fallen').
Common Mistakes
2. the importance that something has for a particular person, often for emotional,
the importance that something has for a particular person, often for emotional, personal, or relational reasons
The value of friendship became clear to Indra when she moved to a new city alone.
the value of [abstract noun]
Arjun's grandfather taught him the value of patience through years of quiet example.
Takeshi did not understand the sentimental value of the old watch until his mother explained its history.
sentimental value (common fixed collocation)
People from different cultures place very different values on things like punctuality and politeness.
For Salma, a quiet evening at home was of greater value than any party or social event.
- sentimental value
- place a high value on
- intrinsic value
- of great value to
- emotional value
- importance
broader and more formal; can apply to practical matters too
- significance
more formal, often used for long-term or deep importance
- worth
overlaps in meaning, especially in 'worth of a relationship'
Grammar Patterns
the value of [something]
place a value on [something]
Usage Note
Distinguish from noun sense 3 (USEFULNESS): this sense is about emotional or relational significance, while sense 3 is about practical utility. Use 'place a high value on [something]' to express what someone considers important.
Common Mistakes
3. the quality that makes something helpful, practical, or worth doing for a partic
the quality that makes something helpful, practical, or worth doing for a particular purpose
This research data is of great value to scientists studying the effects of climate change.
be of great value to [someone]
Gabriel questioned the value of spending so much money on a software system nobody would use.
The training program offers real value for anyone hoping to start their own restaurant.
Historical documents have lasting value even when they are difficult to read at first.
lasting value (common collocation)
The value of regular exercise goes far beyond just helping people lose weight.
- great value
- real value
- lasting value
- practical value
- educational value
- of value to
- uselessness
complete lack of value or purpose
Grammar Patterns
be of [adjective] value to [someone]
have [adjective] value
Common Mistakes
4. a collection of beliefs and moral standards that guide how a person or group beh
a collection of beliefs and moral standards that guide how a person or group behaves, especially concerning right and wrong
The school tries to teach students traditional values such as honesty and respect for others.
traditional / moral / family values (common modifiers)
Amani's parents passed on strong values about helping people in the local community.
The company lists environmental protection as one of its core values.
Liam's personal values clashed with the way the marketing department was running its campaigns.
Modern societies often struggle to agree on a shared set of values across different communities.
- family values
- moral values
- traditional values
- core values
- cultural values
- share values
- hold values
- values system
- principles
more formal and abstract; focuses on moral rules rather than guiding beliefs
- ideals
emphasises the aspirational or perfect standard someone aims for
- standards
focuses on the expected level of behaviour
Grammar Patterns
[someone]'s values
family / moral / traditional values
Usage Note
Almost always used in the plural form ('values') in this sense. The singular 'value' is rare and only appears in fixed phrases like 'a person of value' or 'value system'.
Common Mistakes
5. a number or quantity shown by a letter, symbol, or measurement in mathematics, s
a number or quantity shown by a letter, symbol, or measurement in mathematics, science, or computing
In this equation, the variable X can take any value between zero and one hundred.
take a value (common maths collocation)
The pH value of pure water at room temperature is exactly seven.
Christopher entered all the measured values into the computer for further analysis.
Each sensor records the numerical value of the voltage every few seconds.
The average value of the test results was lower than the engineers had predicted.
average / mean / maximum / minimum value (common modifiers)
- numerical value
- absolute value
- average value
- maximum value
- pH value
- take a value
- assigned value
- measured value
Grammar Patterns
the value of [variable/measurement]
[something] takes/has a value
Common Mistakes
6. the quality of being worth the amount of money paid, measured by comparing price
the quality of being worth the amount of money paid, measured by comparing price with the benefit or quality received
The set lunch at that restaurant is excellent value at only three hundred dollars for three courses.
good / great / excellent value (common adjective pairs)
For value, you cannot beat this brand of washing powder according to the consumer reports.
The Sato family chose the hotel because it offered good value for money compared with others nearby.
value for money (fixed phrase)
Many shoppers now look for value rather than luxury when they buy clothes for everyday use.
The all-in-one printer gives good value because it also scans, copies, and sends faxes.
- good value
- excellent value
- great value
- value for money
- offer value
- look for value
- rip-off
informal; something that costs too much for what you get
Grammar Patterns
[something] is good / excellent / great value
value for money
Common Mistakes
value — verb
1. to say what price something could be sold for after examining it or calculating
to say what price something could be sold for after examining it or calculating its qualities
A professional jeweller valued the diamond ring and said it was worth over fifty thousand dollars.
passive: valued at [amount]
The insurance company sent an expert to value the damaged car after the accident.
Obi's antique desk was valued at nearly eight thousand dollars by the auction house.
Property in this neighbourhood has been valued much higher since the park was renovated.
William asked three different dealers to value his collection of rare coins.
- valued at
- professionally valued
- independently valued
- have something valued
Grammar Patterns
value [something] at [amount]
be valued at [amount]
Usage Note
Frequently used in the passive voice followed by 'at' + amount: 'something is valued at [price]'. The active voice means an expert performs the appraisal.
Common Mistakes
2. to feel that someone or something matters a lot to you and to treat them with ca
to feel that someone or something matters a lot to you and to treat them with care and appreciation
Rania deeply values the time she spends each week with her elderly grandmother.
deeply / highly value (common intensifiers)
The team leader said she values her employees' opinions and always listens to their ideas.
Unlike her brother, Defne valued her privacy above everything else in her life.
The local school is valued by the whole community as a safe place for children to learn.
passive: valued by [someone] as [something]
Lucía valued curiosity more than test scores when she was teaching her science class.
- highly valued
- deeply valued
- widely valued
- valued member
- value as
- cherish
warmer and more emotional; emphasises affection and care
- treasure
similar to 'cherish'; suggests keeping something safe and dear
- appreciate
focuses on recognising the worth of something, often with gratitude
- disregard
to treat something as unimportant or unworthy of attention
- undervalue
to not recognise the true worth of someone or something
Grammar Patterns
value [someone/something]
highly value [someone/something]
Usage Note
Distinguish from verb sense 1 (APPRAISE): this sense is about emotional importance, not monetary assessment. The adverb 'highly' is commonly used to intensify: 'a highly valued member of the team'.
Common Mistakes
value — adjective
1. describing a product or service sold at a low price while still offering reasona
describing a product or service sold at a low price while still offering reasonable quality, usually as part of a budget product line
The supermarket chain launched a new value range that includes basic items like rice and cooking oil.
value range / value brand / value line (common retail terms)
Many consumers now choose value brands over expensive designer labels to save money.
The airline introduced a value fare that only includes a seat and one small piece of luggage.
Esteban bought the value pack of toilet paper because it was cheaper per roll than the regular size.
Mei-Lin chose the value washing powder because it cost twenty dollars less than the popular brand.
value + [product] (budget product line)
- value brand
- value range
- value product
- value line
- value pack
- value fare
Grammar Patterns
value [noun] — always before a noun
Usage Note
This adjective is used only before a noun ('value brand', 'value range', 'value product'). It cannot be used after a linking verb: ❌ 'This product is value.' ✅ 'This is a value product.'
Common Mistakes
Word family
- valuableadjectiveB1
- invaluableadjectiveC1
- valuelessadjectiveC1
- valuationnounB2
- valuernounC1
- valuedadjectiveB2
- evaluateverbB2
- evaluationnounB2
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
Value, price, worth, and cost all relate to money but differ in key ways. Price is the specific amount asked or paid for an item in a transaction — it is concrete and can change depending on the seller ('the price of milk has gone up'). Cost refers to what you must spend to obtain or produce something, often focusing on the buyer's expense ('the cost of building a house'). Worth is more subjective than value and often reflects personal or perceived importance rather than a market figure ('this necklace is worth a lot to me emotionally'). Value is the broadest of the four: it can mean estimated market worth, the importance of something beyond money, or the quality-to-price ratio. For example, you would say 'the value of the house increased' (market worth), but 'the price of the house is too high' (asking amount). 'The cost of repairs made us think twice' (buyer's expense), while 'the worth of the land goes beyond its price tag' (broader significance).
Common collocations
Etymology
The word 'value' entered English from Old French 'value', the feminine past participle of 'valoir' (to be worth). 'Valoir' itself came from Latin 'valēre', meaning 'to be strong, be well, be of worth'. The sense of 'monetary worth' appeared in English around the 1300s, while the meaning of 'moral principles' (plural) developed in the 1800s, shifting from 'that which is worthy' to 'the standards by which worth is judged'. The use of 'value' as an adjective describing a budget product line is a much more recent development, appearing in the late 1900s in retail marketing.