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to be grateful or thankful for:
They appreciated his thoughtfulness.
to value or regard highly; place a high estimate on:
to appreciate good wine.
to be fully conscious of; be aware of; detect:
to appreciate the dangers of a situation.
to raise in value.
to increase in value:
Property values appreciated yearly.
Contemporary Examples

But this is a lot of books: my son and grandson might not be so inclined as to simply sit and appreciate their presence.
Larry McMurtry: May the Books Flourish! Larry McMurtry September 4, 2013

By listening to what your heart has to say, we can begin to appreciate love from a new angle.
The Big Idea: Barbara Fredrickson on Love 2.0 Barbara Fredrickson February 13, 2013

I appreciate the optimism of the show, but it has a way to go before it finds itself.
Fall-Winter TV Preview: Snap Judgments of 2013–14’s New Shows Jace Lacob, Kevin Fallon July 15, 2013

Sam, however, does not appreciate the gesture and is determined to figure out who was behind the typed out letter.
The Real Jersey Dictionary, Vol. 2 Jaimie Etkin October 20, 2010

To appreciate the magnitude of her crimes, one needs to understand something about the local culture.
The Evil Daughter-in-Law? Ralph Gardner, Jr. May 5, 2009

Historical Examples

I appreciate your sympathy, but what I need is action and information and answers.
Highways in Hiding George Oliver Smith

Flossy, dear Flossy, this is such a difference as even you cannot appreciate!
Ester Ried Yet Speaking Isabella Alden

Unused are not likely to depreciate, and they may appreciate.
Stamp Collecting as a Pastime Edward J. Nankivell

“Anyhow, I appreciate that hat,” was the reply, with a dry chuckle.
Within the Law Marvin Dana

We have failed to appreciate that the Indian, in being driven from his lands, has retaliated from motives of patriotism.
Stories of the Badger State Reuben Gold Thwaites

verb (mainly transitive)
to feel thankful or grateful for: to appreciate a favour
(may take a clause as object) to take full or sufficient account of: to appreciate a problem
to value highly: to appreciate Shakespeare
(usually intransitive) to raise or increase in value
v.

1650s, “to esteem or value highly,” from Late Latin appretiatus, past participle of appretiare “to set a price to” (see appraise). Meaning “to rise in value” (intransitive) first recorded 1789. Related: Appreciated; appreciating.