appreciable

Everyday

1. (formal) Large or important enough to be noticed or measured. tree →
2. Big enough to matter. tree →

In the lessons

A formal word in science and exam texts: an appreciable difference, an appreciable amount. It tells the reader the change is real and noticeable, not tiny. Phrases: appreciable difference, appreciable amount, appreciable effect.

Examples

• There was an appreciable difference in the plants given sunlight. tree →
• The new road has made an appreciable change to traffic. tree →
• It took an appreciable amount of time to finish. tree →
• The extra practice made an appreciable improvement in her reading. tree →
• The temperature dropped appreciably after sunset. tree →
• There was no appreciable change in the results. tree →
• An appreciable number of pupils walk to school. tree →

Note

Formal; plain words: noticeable, considerable. Do not confuse with "appreciative" (feeling or showing thanks). In maths or science, an appreciable change is big enough to measure, but no exact size is given.