Assess means to carefully examine something to understand its value, quality, or condition. When your teacher assesses your essay, she's reading it closely to judge how well you explained your ideas and supported them with evidence. When a doctor assesses an injury, he's checking how serious it is and what treatment you need.

The word suggests thoughtful evaluation rather than a quick glance. A coach might assess each player's skills before deciding who plays which position. A scientist assesses data from an experiment to figure out what the results mean. Parents might assess the safety of a neighborhood before deciding whether to move there.

In school, you'll often encounter the word assessment, which is another term for a test or evaluation. A math assessment measures what you've learned. Teachers use assessments to understand where students need more help.

The key to assessing something well is gathering good information first. You can't assess how difficult a hiking trail will be without knowing its length and steepness. You can't assess whether a book is worth reading without reading the first chapter or checking reviews. Smart assessment combines observation, knowledge, and careful thinking to reach a sound judgment.