worth
wurth
Worth (adj) means having a particular value, or deserving of something. Example: “This painting is worth a small fortune.”
adj
1
Having a particular value, or deserving of something.
"This painting is worth a small fortune."
"The hike is tough, but the view is worth it."
"The old clock isn't worth much, but I love it anyway."
noun
1
The value or importance of something or someone.
"She proved her worth to the team in her first week."
"Don't judge a person's worth by the size of their house."
"He felt his worth was finally recognised when they gave him the job."
How to use worth
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHow valuable or deserving something is.
Common mistake
"Worth" is followed directly by a noun or -ing form, not "to": say "worth reading," not "worth to read."
Common pairings
net worth
worth it
worth a try
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Word forms
- Plural
- worths
- Third person singular
- worths
- Past tense
- worthed, worthen
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
This painting is _____ a small fortune.
Etymology
From Old English weorþ, meaning "valuable" or "worthy" — the same root behind "worthy" and "worship."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for worth
See all rhymes for worth →Frequently asked questions
What does “worth” mean?
The word “worth” means having a particular value, or deserving of something. In plain terms, how valuable or deserving something is.
How do you pronounce “worth”?
“Worth” is pronounced wurth (/wɝθ/ in IPA).
How do you use “worth” in a sentence?
Here is “worth” used in a sentence: “This painting is worth a small fortune.”
What part of speech is “worth”?
Depending on how it is used, “worth” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “worth” come from?
The word “worth” comes from Old English. From Old English weorþ, meaning "valuable" or "worthy" — the same root behind "worthy" and "worship.".
Is “worth” a common word?
“Worth” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “worth” have?
“Worth” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: having a particular value, or deserving of something.
What is the difference between 'worth' and 'worthy'?
'Worth' states value or deserving directly and is followed by a noun — 'the house is worth a fortune,' 'it's worth a try.' 'Worthy' means deserving respect or merit and is often followed by 'of' — 'a worthy cause,' 'worthy of praise.' Worth measures value; worthy judges merit.
What does 'worth it' mean?
Saying something is 'worth it' means the benefit, reward, or satisfaction justifies the cost, effort, or risk involved. If a long climb gives a stunning view, people say the effort was worth it. It weighs what you give against what you get and judges the trade a good one.
What is an example of using 'worth'?
You can say 'the painting is worth thousands' to state its value, or 'this book is worth reading' to say it deserves your time. 'A moment worth remembering' means one deserving to be kept in mind. In each case, 'worth' links something to the value or merit it holds.
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