waarde

Waarde is a Dutch noun meaning value, worth, or price. The term is used to describe the importance or usefulness of something, as well as the numerical or monetary amount assigned to an object or idea. In everyday language, waarde can refer to intrinsic worth, practical usefulness, or cultural significance.

In philosophy and ethics, waarde denotes normative properties that make things desirable or valuable, such as moral values (fairness, honesty) or aesthetic values (beauty). Discussions distinguish between intrinsic value and instrumental value, and between subjective value (dependent on an observer) and objective value (independent of opinion).

In economics and business, value is closely related to price but not identical. Consumer perceived value is the net benefit a customer expects from a product, often balancing quality, convenience, and cost. Value can be evaluated as exchange value (what it can be traded for in markets) or value-in-use (usefulness to the owner). Companies may articulate a value proposition—the reason a product is worth purchasing relative to alternatives.

In mathematics, science, and computing, waarde refers to a specific numerical or symbolic quantity assigned to a variable or object, such as the value of x in an equation, or the value stored in a data field. Data types and units affect how values are interpreted and compared.

In Dutch usage, waarde also appears in phrases about worth and significance, and in the plural waarden, which generally refers to moral, cultural, or societal values rather than monetary prices. The concept is central across disciplines, but the exact meaning depends on context.