apprize
Rare / Archaic / FormalFormal, Legal, Archaic
Definition
Meaning
To inform or notify someone officially; to give notice.
A formal or official notification, particularly of an assessment of value or a legal matter.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Now largely superseded by 'apprise'. The spelling 'apprize' is often considered an archaic variant. It can also carry the obsolete meaning 'to appreciate or esteem highly', adding potential confusion.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both regions overwhelmingly prefer 'apprise'. 'Apprize' is archaic/rare in both but may be slightly more persistent in historical or legal British texts. The spelling 'apprize' is sometimes mistakenly used for 'appraise' in American contexts.
Connotations
In modern usage, 'apprize' typically signals a formal, dated, or legalistic tone. Its use may be interpreted as an error for 'apprise' or 'appraise'.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in contemporary corpora. Use is almost exclusively confined to historical documents, very formal legal notices, or is a spelling mistake.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] apprizes [Recipient] of [Information][Recipient] is apprized of [Information] by [Subject]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to be apprized of the matter”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Largely obsolete. Might be found in archaic legal clauses regarding notification of shareholders.
Academic
Virtually never used in contemporary academic writing; 'apprise' is standard.
Everyday
Not used. Would be considered an error or affectation.
Technical
Rare, potentially in historical legal or diplomatic texts discussing official notifications.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The solicitor was obliged to apprize his client of the new evidence.
- I must apprize you of a change in the schedule.
American English
- The agent failed to apprize the homeowners of the easement.
- The letter served to apprize them of their rights.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The manager will apprize the team of the decision. (Note: 'apprise' is better).
- Upon being apprized of the potential conflict, the board took immediate action.
- The ambassador was formally apprized of the host country's objections through a diplomatic note.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Apprize' has a 'Z' for 'zany old word' that means to tell. If you see it, you should probably 'revise' it to 'apprise'.
Conceptual Metaphor
INFORMATION IS A COMMODITY PASSED TO A RECIPIENT (He apprized me of the news = He handed me the news).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'ценить' (to value/appreciate), which is an obsolete meaning of 'apprize'. The correct modern equivalent for 'to inform' is 'информировать', 'уведомлять'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'apprize' when you mean 'appraise' (to assess value).
- Using 'apprize' in modern contexts instead of 'apprise'.
- Misspelling 'apprise' as 'apprize'.
Practice
Quiz
In modern English, which word has almost entirely replaced 'apprize' in the meaning 'to inform'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it is an archaic and rare variant of 'apprise'. Its use in modern writing is generally discouraged as it can be confusing or mistaken for a spelling error.
'Apprize' (archaic) means to inform. 'Appraise' means to assess the value or quality of something. Confusing them is a common error.
Always use 'apprise' for the modern meaning of 'to inform'. 'Apprize' should only be used when deliberately quoting or emulating archaic language.
Yes, but this is an obsolete meaning, related to 'prize'. This meaning is even rarer than the 'inform' meaning and is not used in contemporary English.