worthless
WURTH-luhs
Worthless (adj) means having no value or use. Example: “The old currency became worthless overnight after the crash.”
adj
1
Having no value or use.
"Don’t be a worthless slouch! Go get yourself a job."
"The old currency became worthless overnight after the crash."
"He felt worthless after losing his job."
"The committee’s decision is worthless and not going to be acted upon."
"The broken, rusty tools were worthless, so we threw them away."
"Lies are as important as truth, for without lies, the truth is worthless."
How to use worthless
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOf no value at all — either an object or, describing a person's feelings, a sense of having no value.
Common pairings
feel worthless
worthless piece of junk
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more worthless, worthlesser
- Superlative
- most worthless, worthlessest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old currency became _____ overnight after the crash.
Etymology
From Old English weorþlēas, literally "worth-less."
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “worthless” mean?
The word “worthless” means having no value or use. In plain terms, of no value at all — either an object or, describing a person's feelings, a sense of having no value.
How do you pronounce “worthless”?
“Worthless” is pronounced WURTH-luhs (/ˈwɝθləs/ in IPA).
How do you use “worthless” in a sentence?
Here is “worthless” used in a sentence: “The old currency became worthless overnight after the crash.”
What is the opposite of “worthless”?
The opposite of “worthless” — its antonyms — are valuable, precious and priceless.
What part of speech is “worthless”?
“Worthless” is an adjective.
Where does the word “worthless” come from?
The word “worthless” comes from Old English. From Old English weorþlēas, literally "worth-less.".
Is “worthless” a common word?
“Worthless” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between worthless and priceless?
Worthless describes something with no value or use at all, while priceless describes something so valuable it cannot be assigned a price. The two words are near opposites despite both containing the idea of "price" or "worth."
What is the difference between worthless and worthy?
Worthless means having no value or use, whereas worthy means deserving respect, effort, or attention. Worthy usually needs a following preposition or noun ("worthy of praise"), while worthless is typically used on its own.
Can worthless describe a person, not just an object?
Yes, worthless can be applied to people, though it is a harsh and dismissive judgement of someone's character or usefulness. Most commonly it describes objects, money, or efforts that have no value, such as a worthless piece of paper or a worthless attempt.
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