Definition: Value

Etymology

From Middle English valew, value, from Old French value, feminine past participle of valoir, from Latin valēre (be strong, be worth), from Proto-Italic *walēō, from Proto-Indo-European *h₂welh₁- (to be strong).

Noun

value (countable and uncountable, plural values)

1. The quality (positive or negative) that renders something desirable or valuable.
2. (uncountable) The degree of importance given to something.

   The value of my children's happiness is second only to that of my wife.

3. That which is valued or highly esteemed, such as one's morals, morality, or belief system.

   He does not share his parents' values.

4. The amount (of money or goods or services) that is considered to be a fair equivalent for something else.
5. (music) The relative duration of a musical note.

   The value of a minim (half note) is twice that of a crotchet (quarter note)

6. (art) The relative darkness or lightness of a color in (a specific area of) a painting etc.
7. (mathematics, physics) Any definite numerical quantity or other mathematical object, determined by being measured, computed, or otherwise defined.

   The exact value of pi cannot be represented in decimal notation.

8. Precise meaning; import.

   the value of a word; the value of a legal instrument

9. (in the plural) The valuable ingredients to be obtained by treating a mass or compound; specifically, the precious metals contained in rock, gravel, etc.

   That vein carries good values.

Derived terms

• valuable
• value added tax
• value system

Verb

value (third-person singular simple present values, present participle valuing, simple past and past participle valued)

1. To estimate the value of; judge the worth of something.
2. To fix or determine the value of; assign a value to, as of jewelry or art work.

   I will have the family jewels valued by a professional.

3. To regard highly; think much of; place importance upon.

   Gold is valued highly.

4. To hold dear.

   I value these old photographs.

Credits

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