Worth: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ’ฐ
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worth

 

[ wษ™หฮธ ]

Adjective / Noun / Verb
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Adjective

value

Having a particular value, especially in money.

Synonyms

costly, precious, valuable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
worth

Used again to assess the value of something, but can also mean deserving something or having qualities that merit attention or respect.

  • He is worth every penny they pay him.
  • Is it worth going to the meeting today?
valuable

Refers to something that is of great worth, importance, or usefulness, often in terms of financial, practical, or strategic value.

  • The jeweler inspected the valuable gemstones.
  • Her feedback was extremely valuable to the project's success.
precious

Used to describe something that is not only valuable but also cherished and highly esteemed, often with emotional or sentimental value.

  • She wore a precious necklace passed down from her grandmother.
  • Every moment with my family is precious to me.
costly

Typically used to describe something that requires a significant amount of money or other resources. Generally has a negative connotation due to the high price or expense.

  • The repairs to the car were very costly.
  • It was a costly mistake that we couldnโ€™t afford.

Examples of usage

  • The painting was worth over a million dollars.
  • Is this necklace worth anything?
Context #2 | Noun

importance

The level at which someone or something deserves to be valued or rated.

Synonyms

merit, significance, value.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
worth

Use in situations where you want to suggest the financial or practical value of something or someone.

  • 'This antique vase is worth a lot of money
  • ' 'His efforts are worth the praise he received
  • '
value

Use to talk about the usefulness, worth, or importance of something, often in a broader, non-financial sense. This word can apply to both tangible and intangible things.

  • 'The value of education cannot be underestimated
  • ' 'This painting holds sentimental value to the family
  • '
merit

Use when discussing the positive qualities or achievements that deserve recognition or reward. Often used in formal contexts or evaluations.

  • 'Her proposal has a lot of merit
  • ' 'Students are rewarded based on their academic merit
  • '
significance

Use when referring to the importance or notable impact of an event, person, or thing. Often used in historical, scientific, or social contexts.

  • 'The significance of this discovery cannot be overstated
  • ' 'His contribution to the project holds great significance
  • '

Examples of usage

  • She proved her worth by completing the project ahead of schedule.
  • He never doubted the worth of his work.
Context #3 | Verb

deserve

Deserve to be treated in a particular way, typically to be given assistance or attention.

Synonyms

deserve, justify, merit.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
worth

Use 'worth' when making a judgment about the value or usefulness of something, often in non-financial terms.

  • It is worth considering all the options before making a decision.
  • Is it worth going to the event if it's going to rain?
deserve

Use 'deserve' when you want to say that someone should get something because of their actions or qualities.

  • She worked very hard, so she deserves a vacation.
  • They deserve to be happy after all they have been through.
merit

Use 'merit' when you want to talk about the qualities that make someone or something deserving of a reward or attention. It can be used in a formal context.

  • The proposal merits further discussion.
  • Her performance merited a standing ovation.
justify

Use 'justify' to explain or prove that something is right or reasonable. Often used when there is some doubt or question about it.

  • The teacher asked him to justify his absence from class.
  • Can you justify spending so much money on a car?

Examples of usage

  • She is worth all the love in the world.
  • You are worth more than you think.

Translations

Translations of the word "worth" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น valor

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฎเฅ‚เคฒเฅเคฏ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Wert

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ nilai

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฒะฐั€ั‚ั–ัั‚ัŒ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ wartoล›ฤ‡

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ไพกๅ€ค (ใ‹ใก)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท valeur

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ valor

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท deฤŸer

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๊ฐ€์น˜ (gachi)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู‚ูŠู…ุฉ (qiima)

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ hodnota

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ hodnota

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ไปทๅ€ผ (jiร zhรญ)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ vrednost

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ virรฐi

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ า›าฑะฝะดั‹ะปั‹า›

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒฆแƒ˜แƒ แƒ”แƒ‘แƒฃแƒšแƒ”แƒ‘แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ dษ™yษ™r

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ valor

Etymology

The word 'worth' originated from the Old English word 'weorรพ', meaning 'value' or 'price'. It has been used in the English language for centuries to denote the value or importance of something. Over time, 'worth' has evolved to encompass not only monetary value but also the intrinsic value or merit of a person or thing.

See also: unworthily, unworthy, worthiness, worthless, worthlessness, worthwhile, worthy.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #1,213, this word is part of core intermediate vocabulary. It appears regularly in various contexts and is essential for natural-sounding English.