LexBrew
Usage Entry 1105 / 1350 60-second read

Depreciate vs. Appreciate

To lose value versus to gain value (or, to value).

The comparisoni

✗ Wrong

Cars depreciate the moment you drive them off the lot; houses usually appreciate.

✓ Correct

Cars depreciate the moment you drive them off the lot; houses usually appreciate.

The ruleii

DEPRECIATE = lose value. APPRECIATE = gain value.

Both refer to how the market values an asset. DEPRECIATE = loses value over time (cars). APPRECIATE = gains value (often land). APPRECIATE also means to value (I appreciate it), but DEPRECIATE never means "to devalue verbally" in modern use — that would be DEPRECATE.

Memory aidiii

Remember it like this

Depreciate drops. Appreciate rises.

You might also like 8 related
↑↓Navigate Open EscClose All results →