Noun Verb B1 — Intermediate /ˈvæl.juː/

Value — Definition, Examples & Usage

The importance or worth of something — a word that lies at the heart of decisions, beliefs, and everyday English.

Quick Definition

Value (noun) — the importance, worth, or usefulness of something, either in monetary terms or in relation to how much it matters to someone.

Value (verb) — to consider something important or to estimate the monetary worth of something.

What Does Value Mean?

Value comes from the Latin valere, meaning "to be strong" or "to be worth". The same Latin root gives English valid, valiant, prevalent, and equivalent. The word entered English via Old French value in the late 14th century and has carried both its financial and abstract senses ever since.

As a noun, value can refer to the monetary worth of something ("market value"), its usefulness ("the value of exercise"), or a principle considered important in life ("family values", "moral values"). In mathematics and computing it also means a specific number or quantity assigned to a variable.

As a verb, value has two distinct uses: (1) to consider something or someone important or worthy of respect — "She values her independence" — and (2) to formally estimate the financial worth of an object or property — "The surveyor valued the house at £400,000." In the first use, value is a stative verb and is not normally used in continuous tenses.

Example Sentences by Level

Sentence Level Usage note
This shop offers good value for money. A2 value as noun — fixed phrase
She values honesty above everything else. B1 value as stative verb
The antique table was valued at over £2,000. B1 value as verb — financial estimate
Regular exercise has great value for both physical and mental health. B2 value as abstract noun
The scheme failed to deliver the anticipated social value despite significant public investment. C1 value in formal/academic register

Common Collocations

Collocation Example
good value for money The meal was excellent — really good value for money.
market value The market value of the property has risen by 15%.
face value Don't take his comments at face value — he was joking.
core values Respect and honesty are core values of this organisation.
add value A good manager always looks for ways to add value to the team.
place value on They place great value on education in this community.
nutritional value Fresh vegetables have high nutritional value.
cultural value The ruins have significant cultural value for the region.
street value Police seized drugs with a street value of £50,000.
sentimental value The ring is not expensive, but it has great sentimental value.

Usage Notes

Key Points for Learners

  • When value means "to consider important", it is a stative verb. Do not use it in continuous tenses: say "I value your help", not "I am valuing your help".
  • The phrase good value for money (British English) is very common. Americans more often say "a good deal" or "worth the money".
  • The plural values almost always refers to moral principles or beliefs ("democratic values", "shared values"). Be careful not to confuse it with the singular uncountable sense ("of great value").
  • In formal or business writing, value frequently appears in phrases such as "add value", "deliver value", "create value", and "long-term value".
  • Take something at face value is an idiomatic expression meaning to accept something as true without questioning it further.

Common Mistakes

Watch Out For

I am valuing your friendship very much.

I value your friendship very much. (stative verb — no continuous form)

This necklace has a great sentimental worth.

This necklace has great sentimental value. (use value, not worth, with adjectives like sentimental, cultural, nutritional)

She has good values about honesty.

She has strong values — she believes in honesty. (values = principles; not followed by about)

Related Words

worth benefit merit importance appreciate evaluate valuable invaluable worthless overvalue undervalue devalue

Practise This Word

Flash Cards Complete the Sentence Vocabulary Quiz Hangman

Frequently Asked Questions about “value”

What is the meaning of value?
As a noun, value means the importance, worth, or usefulness of something — whether financial ('the value of the house') or abstract ('the value of friendship'). As a verb, to value something means to consider it important ('She values honesty') or to estimate its monetary worth ('The jeweller valued the ring at £500').
What is the difference between value and worth?
Value and worth are close in meaning, but value is more commonly used in financial and abstract contexts: 'good value for money', 'the value of education'. Worth is often used predicatively after a verb: 'It is worth reading' or 'The painting is worth £2,000'. Value can also function as a verb, while worth cannot.
Is value countable or uncountable?
Value is both countable and uncountable depending on its meaning. It is uncountable when referring to worth or importance in general: 'a lesson of great value'. It is countable when referring to specific principles or beliefs: 'family values', 'democratic values'. In mathematics and science it is countable: 'Enter a value between 1 and 10'.
How do you use value as a verb?
As a verb, value is transitive and takes a direct object. It has two main meanings: (1) to regard something as important — 'I value your opinion'; (2) to estimate the financial worth of something — 'The property was valued at £350,000'. Note that in meaning (1), value is not used in continuous tenses: say 'I value your help', not 'I am valuing your help'.
What are the most common collocations with value?
Common noun collocations include: face value, market value, street value, cultural value, nutritional value, and sentimental value. Common verb collocations include: add value, place value on, attach value to, and lose value. The phrase 'good value for money' is extremely common in British English.
What is the plural of value?
The plural values refers to specific beliefs, principles, or standards that a person or group considers important: 'traditional values', 'shared values', 'core values'. When value means general worth or importance, it is uncountable and has no plural: 'a thing of great value' (not 'values').
What is the difference between value and price?
Price is the amount of money asked for something. Value is what something is actually worth — the benefit you receive relative to what you pay. A product may have a high price but poor value (overpriced) or a low price and excellent value (a bargain). The common phrase 'good value for money' captures this distinction clearly.
What does it mean to value someone?
To value a person means to appreciate them and consider them important: 'She is a valued colleague' or 'He values his friends above material possessions.' It expresses respect and appreciation rather than a financial calculation. This stative use of the verb is not normally used in continuous tenses.
What is the origin of the word value?
Value comes from Old French 'value', the feminine past participle of 'valoir' (to be worth), which derives from Latin 'valere' meaning 'to be strong or well'. The same Latin root gives English words such as valid, valiant, prevalent, and equivalent. It entered English in the late 14th century.
How can I practise using value in English?
Try LexFizz's Complete the Sentence exercise to practise value in realistic contexts, or use the Flash Cards tool to study value alongside related words such as worth, benefit, merit, and appreciate. Writing short sentences using the noun and verb forms separately is an excellent way to build confidence with this versatile word.