# assess

> English word · Verb · IPA /əˈsɛs/ · frequency rank #6,327

## Definitions
1. To determine, estimate or judge the value of; to evaluate; to estimate.
2. To impose or charge, especially as punishment for an infraction.
3. To calculate and demand (the tax money due) from a person or entity.

## Etymology
From Middle English assessen, from Old French assesser, from Medieval Latin assessare, originally the frequentative of Latin assessus, past participle of assidēre, from ad (“to, towards, at”) + sedeō (“sit; settle down”). Cognate with Spanish asentar (“to settle”).

## Easily confused with
- **asset** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/assess-vs-asset)
- **assets** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/assess-vs-assets)
- **assist** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/assess-vs-assist)
- **assists** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/assess-vs-assists)
- **assessed** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/assess-vs-assessed)
- **assesses** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/assess-vs-assesses)
- **assessor** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/assess-vs-assessor)
- **ashes** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ashes-vs-assess)
- **asses** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/asses-vs-assess)
- **assed** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/assed-vs-assess)
- **access** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/access-vs-assess)
- **assert** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/assert-vs-assess)
- **assent** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/assent-vs-assess)
- **abscess** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/abscess-vs-assess)

## Common misspellings (4)
`asess`, `asesss`, `assses`, `sasess`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/assess