Meaning vs. Value — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 2, 2024
Meaning involves the significance or interpretation of something, focusing on understanding; value denotes its importance or worth, often in qualitative or quantitative terms.
Difference Between Meaning and Value
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Meaning is primarily concerned with what a concept or entity represents or communicates, typically delving into symbolic, linguistic, or contextual interpretations. Whereas value assesses the importance, utility, or worth of the same, emphasizing its relevance or contribution to specific goals or standards.
In linguistics, meaning pertains to the semantic content of words, phrases, and sentences, highlighting how language conveys messages and intentions. On the other hand, value in economics or ethics relates to the perceived benefit or ethical standards something holds, thus guiding decisions and behaviors.
Meaning seeks to uncover the underlying essence or purpose of phenomena, often engaging with existential or abstract questions. Conversely, value in philosophy might deal with moral or aesthetic judgments, determining what is deemed good, beautiful, or ethically correct.
In practical contexts, the meaning of a tool or process is understood as its function or role within a system, explaining how it operates or is to be used. Whereas its value is evaluated based on its effectiveness, efficiency, or utility in achieving desired outcomes.
When interpreting artworks or literature, meaning involves analyzing themes, symbols, and narratives to grasp deeper insights. Conversely, their value might be appraised based on cultural significance, historical context, or personal resonance with the audience.
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Comparison Chart
Focus
Interpretation and understanding
Importance and worth
In Linguistics
Semantic content of words and sentences
Not applicable
In Philosophy
Essence or purpose of phenomena
Moral or aesthetic judgments
In Practical Use
Function or role within a system
Effectiveness or utility in achieving outcomes
In Arts
Analysis of themes, symbols, narratives
Cultural significance, historical context
Compare with Definitions
Meaning
The implied or explicit significance of something.
The meaning of her smile was not immediately clear.
Value
The principles or standards that guide behavior.
Honesty is a core value for many cultures.
Meaning
The philosophical significance or abstract concept associated with something.
Scholars debate the meaning of existence.
Value
The degree of importance or usefulness of something.
The value of this old coin is quite high due to its rarity.
Meaning
The functional purpose of a tool or concept.
The meaning of the software feature is to enhance productivity.
Value
The quantitative worth of something, often in economic terms.
The value of the property has doubled in the last decade.
Meaning
The intended message conveyed by words or actions.
The meaning of the phrase depends on the context.
Value
The ethical or moral worth ascribed to actions or decisions.
She assessed the moral value of her decision carefully.
Meaning
The interpretive content in artistic works.
The meaning of the painting is open to interpretation.
Value
The beneficial aspect or utility of a function or service.
The value of the app lies in its user-friendly interface.
Meaning
What is meant by a word, text, concept, or action
The meaning of the Hindu word is ‘breakthrough, release’
The meaning of life
Value
An amount, as of goods, services, or money, considered to be a fair and suitable equivalent for something else; a fair price or return.
Meaning
Intended to communicate something that is not directly expressed
She gave Gabriel a meaning look
Value
Monetary or material worth
The fluctuating value of gold and silver.
Meaning
The denotation, referent, or idea associated with a word or phrase
How many meanings does the word "dog" have?.
Value
Worth in usefulness or importance to the possessor; utility or merit
The value of an education.
Meaning
Something that is conveyed or intended, especially by language; sense or significance
The writer's meaning was obscured by convoluted prose.
Value
Often values A principle or standard, as of behavior, that is considered important or desirable
"The speech was a summons back to the patrician values of restraint and responsibility" (Jonathan Alter).
Meaning
An interpreted goal, intent, or end
"The central meaning of his pontificate is to restore papal authority" (Conor Cruise O'Brien).
Value
Precise meaning or import, as of a word.
Meaning
A sense of importance or purpose
When he became a teacher, he felt that his life had meaning.
Value
(Mathematics) A quantity or number expressed by an algebraic term.
Meaning
Disposed or intended in a specified manner. Often used in combination
A well-meaning fellow.
Ill-meaning intentions.
Value
(Music) The relative duration of a tone or rest.
Meaning
Full of meaning; expressive
Gave me a meaning look.
Value
The relative darkness or lightness of a color. See Table at color.
Meaning
(of words, expressions or symbols)
Value
(Linguistics) The sound quality of a letter or diphthong.
Meaning
The denotation, referent, or idea connected with a word, expression, or symbol.
Value
One of a series of specified values
Issued a stamp of new value.
Meaning
The connotation associated with a word, expression, or symbol.
Value
To determine or estimate the worth or value of; appraise.
Meaning
The purpose, value, or significance (of something) beyond the fact of that thing's existence.
The meaning of life
The number of persons attending the vigil had a lot of meaning to the families.
Value
To regard highly; esteem
I value your advice.
Meaning
(of a person's actions) Intention.
Value
To rate according to relative estimate of worth or desirability; evaluate
Valued health above money.
Meaning
Present participle of mean
Value
To assign a value to (a unit of currency, for example).
Meaning
Having a (specified) intention.
Value
Of or relating to the practice of investing in individual securities that, according to some fundamental measure, such as book value, appear to be relatively less expensive than comparable securities.
Meaning
Expressing some intention or significance; meaningful.
Value
Relating to or consisting of principles or standards
A value system.
Meaning
That which is meant or intended; intent; purpose; aim; object; as, a mischievous meaning was apparent.
If there be any good meaning towards you.
Value
The quality (positive or negative) that renders something desirable or valuable.
The Shakespearean Shylock is of dubious value in the modern world.
Meaning
That which is signified, whether by act lanquage; signification; sense; import; as, the meaning of a hint.
Value
(uncountable) The degree of importance given to something.
The value of my children's happiness is second only to that of my wife.
Meaning
Sense; power of thinking.
Value
That which is valued or highly esteemed, such as one's morals, morality, or belief system.
He does not share his parents' values.
Family values
Meaning
The message that is intended or expressed or signified;
What is the meaning of this sentence
The significance of a red traffic light
The signification of Chinese characters
The import of his announcement was ambigtuous
Value
The amount (of money or goods or services) that is considered to be a fair equivalent for something else.
Meaning
The idea that is intended;
What is the meaning of this proverb?
Value
(music) The relative duration of a musical note.
The value of a crotchet is twice that of a quaver.
Meaning
Rich in significance or implication;
A meaning look
Pregnant with meaning
Value
(arts) The relative darkness or lightness of a color in (a specific area of) a painting etc.
Value
Any definite numerical quantity or other mathematical object, determined by being measured, computed, or otherwise defined.
The exact value of pi cannot be represented in decimal notation.
Value
Precise meaning; import.
The value of a word; the value of a legal instrument
Value
(in the plural) The valuable ingredients to be obtained by treating a mass or compound; specifically, the precious metals contained in rock, gravel, etc.
The vein carries good values.
The values on the hanging walls
Value
(obsolete) Esteem; regard.
Value
(obsolete) Valour; also spelled valew.
Value
To estimate the value of; judge the worth of something.
I will have the family jewels valued by a professional.
Value
To fix or determine the value of; assign a value to, as of jewelry or art work.
Value
To regard highly; think much of; place importance upon.
Gold was valued highly among the Romans.
Value
To hold dear.
I value these old photographs.
Value
The property or aggregate properties of a thing by which it is rendered useful or desirable, or the degree of such property or sum of properties; worth; excellence; utility; importance.
Ye are all physicians of no value.
Ye are of more value than many sparrows.
Cæsar is well acquainted with your virtue,And therefore sets this value on your life.
Before events shall have decided on the value of the measures.
Value
Worth estimated by any standard of purchasing power, especially by the market price, or the amount of money agreed upon as an equivalent to the utility and cost of anything.
An article may be possessed of the highest degree of utility, or power to minister to our wants and enjoyments, and may be universally made use of, without possessing exchangeable value.
Value is the power to command commodities generally.
Value is the generic term which expresses power in exchange.
His design was not to pay him the value of his pictures, because they were above any price.
Value
Precise signification; import; as, the value of a word; the value of a legal instrument
Value
Esteem; regard.
My relation to the person was so near, and my value for him so great
Value
The relative length or duration of a tone or note, answering to quantity in prosody; thus, a quarter note [ ] has the value of two eighth notes [ ].
Value
In an artistical composition, the character of any one part in its relation to other parts and to the whole; - often used in the plural; as, the values are well given, or well maintained.
Value
Valor.
Value
That property of a color by which it is distinguished as bright or dark; luminosity.
Value
Any particular quantitative determination; as, a function's value for some special value of its argument.
Value
The valuable ingredients to be obtained by treatment from any mass or compound; specif., the precious metals contained in rock, gravel, or the like; as, the vein carries good values; the values on the hanging walls.
Value
To estimate the value, or worth, of; to rate at a certain price; to appraise; to reckon with respect to number, power, importance, etc.
The mind doth value every moment.
The queen is valued thirty thousand strong.
The king must take it ill,That he's so slightly valued in his messenger.
Neither of them valued their promises according to rules of honor or integrity.
Value
To rate highly; to have in high esteem; to hold in respect and estimation; to appreciate; to prize; as, to value one for his works or his virtues.
Which of the dukes he values most.
Value
To raise to estimation; to cause to have value, either real or apparent; to enhance in value.
Some value themselves to their country by jealousies of the crown.
Value
To be worth; to be equal to in value.
The peace between the French and us not valuesThe cost that did conclude it.
Value
A numerical quantity measured or assigned or computed;
The value assigned was 16 milliseconds
Value
The quality (positive or negative) that renders something desirable or valuable;
The Shakespearean Shylock is of dubious value in the modern world
Value
The amount (of money or goods or services) that is considered to be a fair equivalent for something else;
He tried to estimate the value of the produce at normal prices
Value
Relative darkness or lightness of a color;
I establish the colors and principal values by organizing the painting into three values--dark, medium...and light
Value
(music) the relative duration of a musical note
Value
An ideal accepted by some individual or group;
He has old-fashioned values
Value
Fix or determine the value of; assign a value to;
Value the jewelry and art work in the estate
Value
Hold dear;
I prize these old photographs
Value
Regard highly; think much of;
I respect his judgement
We prize his creativity
Value
Place a value on; judge the worth of something;
I will have the family jewels appraised by a professional
Value
Estimate the value of;
How would you rate his chances to become President?
Gold was rated highly among the Romans
Common Curiosities
What role does value play in decision-making?
Value plays a crucial role in decision-making by influencing choices based on the importance, usefulness, or ethical standards of options.
How are economic values calculated?
Economic values are calculated based on market forces, perceived benefits, cost-effectiveness, and often through financial metrics like return on investment.
What is the main focus when discussing meaning?
When discussing meaning, the main focus is on understanding the interpretation and significance of something.
How does value differ from meaning in philosophy?
In philosophy, value is often associated with judgments of morality or aesthetics, unlike meaning, which is about existential purpose or essence.
Can meaning and value overlap in certain contexts?
Yes, meaning and value can overlap, especially in contexts where understanding the significance of something directly influences its perceived worth or importance.
How is meaning applied in linguistics?
In linguistics, meaning refers to the semantic content and intended communication of words and phrases.
What determines the meaning of a word or phrase?
The meaning of a word or phrase is determined by its usage in language, cultural context, and the intended message by the speaker or writer.
How do cultural values differ across societies?
Cultural values differ significantly across societies due to variations in historical development, societal norms, religious beliefs, and collective experiences.
Is the meaning of something always fixed?
The meaning of something is not always fixed; it can change depending on context, new information, or differing interpretations.
How do personal values affect individual behavior?
Personal values strongly influence individual behavior by guiding choices and actions according to what a person deems important or ethical.
What impact does value have on societal development?
Value impacts societal development by shaping priorities, influencing policy decisions, and determining the allocation of resources towards perceived important areas.
Can the meaning of artistic works change over time?
Yes, the meaning of artistic works can change over time as cultural contexts shift and new interpretations emerge.
What is the relationship between meaning and symbolism in literature?
In literature, meaning often derives from symbolism, where objects, characters, or events symbolize deeper themes and concepts, adding layers of depth to the narrative.
Why is understanding the meaning important in communication?
Understanding the meaning is crucial in communication to ensure clarity, prevent misunderstandings, and achieve effective and precise exchanges of information.
How do values influence business practices?
Values influence business practices by determining corporate ethics, shaping decision-making processes, and guiding the corporate culture and interactions with stakeholders.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
