'appreciate' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'appretiare' (also written 'appretiāre'), where 'ad-' meant 'to/toward' and 'pretium' meant 'price'.

'appreciate' changed from the Old French word 'aprecier' and Middle English forms such as 'apprecien' and eventually became the modern English word 'appreciate'.

Initially, it meant 'to set a price on' or 'to estimate the value of something', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to recognize the value or worth of something; to be grateful for'.