appreciable

Appreciable is an English adjective meaning capable of being perceived or detected, or significant in amount or degree. It describes changes, effects, quantities, or differences that are noticeable or not negligible. In technical or formal writing, an appreciable effect or risk is one large enough to have practical consequences rather than being trivial.

Etymology and form: The word derives from appreciate, from Latin appretiari "to value, assess," with the suffix -able forming an adjective meaning "capable of being valued or perceived." The sense of "noticeable" dates from early modern English.

Usage notes: In everyday speech, words like noticeable or significant may be preferred. Appreciable is common in scientific, legal, or economic contexts. Typical collocations include appreciable difference, appreciable amount, appreciable impact, and "no appreciable difference" in statistical reporting. Antonyms include negligible, insubstantial, and trivial, which describe the opposite end of the spectrum.

Related forms: The adverb appreciably describes the manner or extent to which something is perceived or changed. The noun appreciation is related in etymology but has distinct meanings, including recognition of value or gratitude. While related in origin, appreciate and appreciation differ in practical usage from appreciable and appreciably.