Words / B2

uh-SES/əˈses/

To assess is to judge quality, amount, or risk in a structured way: teachers assess work, doctors assess a patient, and firms assess risk. Evaluate often asks how successful or worthwhile something is; assess is broader and includes measuring, while mark is narrower (give a score). Assessment is the noun (continuous assessment), in professional and academic register.

Meaning

To judge the quality, amount, or value of something.

Examples

• “Teachers assess students at the end of term.”
• “We need to assess the damage before we repair it.”
• “The report assesses the impact on local shops.”

Good to know

assess risk / damage / a student. Noun: assessment. Related: evaluate (worth/success).

Near in meaning

judge

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