Have you ever stopped while writing because you weren’t sure whether to use “apprised” or “appraised”? These two words look and sound similar, but they have completely different meanings. Using the wrong one can change the meaning of your sentence entirely.
In this guide, I’ll explain apprised vs appraised in simple English, show you practical examples, compare their meanings, and share an easy trick to remember the difference. By the end, you’ll know exactly which word to choose in emails, reports, conversations, and everyday writing.
Quick Answer:
Apprised means informed, notified, or told about something.
Appraised means evaluated, assessed, or given a value.
Simple examples:
- I apprised my manager of the situation.
→ I informed my manager about the situation. - The jeweler appraised the diamond.
→ The jeweler evaluated the diamond and determined its value.
Easy rule:
👉 Apprised = informed
👉 Appraised = evaluated or valued
What Does “Apprised” Mean?
Apprised is the past tense and past participle of the verb apprise. It means to inform someone about something, especially by giving them important or relevant information.
It is often followed by “of”:
apprise someone of something
For example:
- The teacher apprised the parents of the changes.
- Please keep me apprised of any updates.
- The team was apprised of the new safety rules.
In these examples, “apprised” has nothing to do with money, price, or evaluation. It simply means kept informed.
Apprised Meaning in Simple English
If someone says, “I was apprised of the situation,” they mean:
“I was informed about the situation.”
The word can sound somewhat formal, so you may see it more often in professional emails, business writing, official documents, and formal communication.
What Does “Appraised” Mean?
Appraised is the past tense and past participle of appraise. It means to carefully evaluate, assess, or estimate the value of something.
For example, a professional might appraise:
- A house
- A car
- Jewelry
- Artwork
- Antiques
- Business assets
- Property
Examples:
- The house was appraised at $450,000.
- An expert appraised the antique vase.
- The bank required the property to be appraised before approving the loan.
- The jeweler appraised her necklace.
Here, appraised refers to an evaluation or valuation.
Appraised Meaning in Simple English
If you say:
“The car was appraised at $15,000,”
you mean:
“The car was professionally evaluated and estimated to be worth $15,000.”
The word can also be used more broadly to mean assessed or evaluated, even when money is not involved.
Apprised vs Appraised: Key Difference
The main difference between these words is their meaning and usage.
| Word | Meaning | Common Use | Example |
| Apprised | Informed or notified | Giving someone information | She apprised me of the changes. |
| Appraised | Evaluated or valued | Assessing something | The expert appraised the painting. |
Think of the difference this way:
Apprised → Information
Appraised → Evaluation
That small difference in spelling represents two completely different actions.
Apprised vs Appraised Examples
Seeing the words in context makes the distinction much easier.
Examples With “Apprised”
- The manager apprised the staff of the new policy.
- Please keep me apprised of any developments.
- We apprised our clients of the delay.
- She apprised him of the risks involved.
- The committee was apprised of the latest information.
In every sentence, someone is being informed.
Examples With “Appraised”
- The real estate agent appraised the property.
- The painting was appraised by an experienced expert.
- The insurance company had the jewelry appraised.
- The house was appraised at a higher value than expected.
- An expert appraised the antique furniture.
In these examples, something is being evaluated or valued.
Apprise vs Appraise
It is also useful to understand the base forms of these words.
Apprise
Apprise = inform someone
Example:
Please apprise me of any changes to the schedule.
Meaning:
Please inform me of any changes to the schedule.
Appraise
Appraise = evaluate or estimate the value of something
Example:
The specialist will appraise the artwork.
Meaning:
The specialist will evaluate the artwork.
The extra “p” in appraise can help you remember that it relates to assessing something.
A Simple Memory Trick
Here’s an easy way to remember apprised vs appraised:
Apprised = Aware
Both apprised and aware relate to knowing information.
If someone is apprised, they are aware or informed about something.
Apprised → Aware → Information
Appraised = Assessment
Appraised begins with appraise, which means to assess or evaluate something.
Appraised → Assessment → Value
So, before choosing the word, ask yourself:
“Am I talking about giving information or evaluating something?”
- Giving information? → Apprised
- Evaluating or valuing something? → Appraised
Common Mistakes With Apprised and Appraised
Because the two words are so similar, spelling and usage mistakes are common.
Mistake 1: Using “appraised” when you mean “informed”
Incorrect:
I appraised my boss of the problem.
If you mean that you informed your boss, the correct word is:
I apprised my boss of the problem.
Mistake 2: Using “apprised” for monetary value
Incorrect:
The house was apprised at $500,000.
Correct:
The house was appraised at $500,000.
A property is appraised when its value is estimated.
Mistake 3: Confusing “appraise” with “appreciate”
These words are also sometimes confused.
Appraise means to evaluate or estimate value.
Appreciate can mean to recognize the value or importance of something, and in financial contexts, it can mean to increase in value.
For example:
- The expert appraised the painting at $10,000.
- I appreciate your help.
Is “Apprised of” Correct?
Yes. “Apprised of” is a standard and common construction.
The usual pattern is:
Subject + apprised + person + of + information
For example:
The director apprised the employees of the changes.
You can also say:
I was apprised of the decision.
This means:
I was informed about the decision.
The phrase “keep me apprised” is especially common in professional communication.
For example:
Please keep me apprised of the project’s progress.
This means:
Please keep me informed about the project’s progress.
Is “Appraised of” Correct?
Usually, no—at least not when you mean “informed of.”
If your intended meaning is “informed,” use:
apprised of
For example:
✅ She apprised us of the situation.
Not:
❌ She appraised us of the situation.
However, appraised is perfectly correct when referring to an evaluation:
✅ The property was appraised by a licensed professional.
American vs British English
There is no major difference in meaning between American and British English for apprised and appraised. Both varieties of English use the words in essentially the same ways.
The spelling distinction remains:
- Apprised = informed
- Appraised = evaluated or valued
British and American writers may differ in other spelling conventions, such as color/colour or center/centre, but that does not change the distinction between these two words.
When Should You Use “Apprised”?
Use apprised when someone receives information.
Common contexts include:
- Business communication
- Workplace updates
- Official announcements
- Project management
- Legal or administrative writing
- News and formal reports
Examples:
The employees were apprised of the policy changes.
I’ll keep you apprised of our progress.
When Should You Use “Appraised”?
Use appraised when something is evaluated, assessed, or assigned an estimated value.
Common contexts include:
- Real estate
- Banking
- Insurance
- Jewelry
- Antiques
- Art
- Financial assessments
Examples:
The property was appraised before the sale.
The antique was appraised by a specialist.
FAQs
1. What is the difference between apprised and appraised?
Apprised means informed or notified, while appraised means evaluated, assessed, or valued.
2. Is it “keep me apprised” or “keep me appraised”?
When you mean keep me informed, the correct phrase is “keep me apprised.”
Example:
Please keep me apprised of any updates.
3. Is “appraised of” wrong?
If you mean informed of, then yes, it is the wrong word. Use “apprised of.”
4. Is a house apprised or appraised?
A house is appraised when its value is professionally estimated.
Example:
The house was appraised at $350,000.
5. Can apprised mean evaluated?
No. Apprised means informed or notified. Appraised means evaluated or valued.
6. Can appraised mean informed?
No. If you mean someone was given information, use apprised.
7. Are apprised and appraised pronounced differently?
They are generally pronounced differently because of the additional syllable associated with appraised. However, the words can sound similar enough in fast speech that context is important.
8. Which word should I use in a professional email?
If you are asking someone to keep you informed, use “apprised.”
For example:
Please keep me apprised of any changes.
Apprised vs Appraised: Final Summary
The difference between apprised vs appraised is simple once you focus on the meaning. Apprised means informed or notified, while appraised means evaluated, assessed, or valued. They may look almost identical, but they perform completely different jobs in a sentence.
Remember the easiest rule: Apprised = informed; appraised = evaluated. If you’re talking about keeping someone updated, choose apprised. If you’re talking about determining the value or quality of something, choose appraised. Keeping this distinction in mind will help you write more accurately and confidently.
Actionable Takeaway
Before using either word, ask yourself one question: “Am I giving information, or am I evaluating something?”
- Giving information → Apprised
- Evaluating or valuing → Appraised
Branson Calix is a creative blogging author known for writing clear, engaging, and informative articles.
He shares insights on lifestyle, digital trends, and personal growth with a modern perspective.
Through his words, Branson inspires readers to think deeper, learn continuously, and grow every day.
