worthwhile
wurth-YL
Worthwhile (adj) means Important or rewarding enough to justify the time, effort, or money spent. Example: “Learning the language made the trip far more worthwhile.”
adj
1
Important or rewarding enough to justify the time, effort, or money spent.
"Learning the language made the trip far more worthwhile."
"It was a long shift, but a worthwhile one."
"Saving a little each month feels worthwhile when you finally book your holiday."
"Doing volunteer work to help others is truly worthwhile."
How to use worthwhile
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWorth the effort put into it.
Common pairings
worthwhile investment
well worthwhile
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more worthwhile
- Superlative
- most worthwhile
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Learning the language made the trip far more _____.
Etymology
A fusion of worth (adjective) and while (a period of time) — literally "worth the while."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for worthwhile
See all rhymes for worthwhile →Frequently asked questions
What does “worthwhile” mean?
The word “worthwhile” means important or rewarding enough to justify the time, effort, or money spent. In plain terms, worth the effort put into it.
How do you pronounce “worthwhile”?
“Worthwhile” is pronounced wurth-YL (/ˌwɜː(ɹ)θˈwaɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “worthwhile” in a sentence?
Here is “worthwhile” used in a sentence: “Learning the language made the trip far more worthwhile.”
What part of speech is “worthwhile”?
“Worthwhile” is an adjective.
Is “worthwhile” a common word?
“Worthwhile” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between worthwhile and worthy?
Worthwhile means an activity or effort is important or rewarding enough to justify the time, money, or energy spent on it. Worthy means deserving of something, such as respect or attention, and is usually followed by "of."
Is worthwhile one word or two?
Worthwhile is written as a single word in standard modern English. Older or informal usage sometimes splits it into "worth while," but this is considered outdated.
Can worthwhile be used before a noun?
Yes, worthwhile can appear directly before a noun, as in "a worthwhile investment," or after a linking verb, as in "the trip was worthwhile." Both positions are grammatically correct and common.
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