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Worthiness Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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worthiness

[ˈwɜːrðiːnəs ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

personal qualities

The quality of being deserving of attention or respect; worthiness is often associated with integrity, honesty, and hard work.

Synonyms

creditability, deservingness, meritoriousness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
worthiness

Can overlap with 'worthiness' but often used in more subjective and evaluative contexts, often regarding moral or ethical attributes.

  • The film's worthiness as a piece of art is still debated.
  • His worthiness for the role was evident from his prior work.
deservingness

Typically used to emphasize that someone or something should rightfully receive a certain treatment or reward.

  • His deservingness of the promotion wasn't disputed.
  • They debated the deservingness of the charity for the funding.
meritoriousness

Used in formal or academic contexts to highlight the merit or excellence of a person, action, or quality.

  • The meritoriousness of her research was acknowledged by the panel.
  • They awarded the prize based on the meritoriousness of the project.
creditability

Used mainly in formal contexts to describe someone or something's believability or trustworthiness.

  • The witness's creditability was questioned in court.
  • The scientist's creditability adds weight to his findings.

Examples of usage

  • She demonstrated her worthiness for the promotion by consistently exceeding expectations.
  • The worthiness of his character was evident in the way he treated others with kindness and respect.
Context #2 | Noun

evaluation

The quality or state of having sufficient merit to be considered valuable or worthy of attention.

Synonyms

importance, merit, value.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
worthiness

Used to describe the quality of being good and deserving respect or attention, often in moral or emotional terms.

  • She proved her worthiness by helping the community
  • He questioned his own worthiness to lead the project
merit

Highlights qualities of being particularly good or worthy, especially so as to deserve praise or reward, often used in evaluations.

  • Her proposal has a lot of merit and should be considered thoroughly
  • The scholarship was awarded based on merit and financial need
value

Used to signify the importance, worth, or usefulness of something, often in a broader, more objective sense.

  • Understanding the value of education is crucial for personal growth
  • The house lost some of its value due to the economic downturn
importance

Refers to the state or quality of being significant or valuable, often in terms of priority or urgency.

  • The importance of regular exercise cannot be overstated
  • She emphasized the importance of finishing the project on time

Examples of usage

  • The worthiness of the manuscript was confirmed by the positive reviews from literary critics.
  • The worthiness of the candidate for the scholarship was determined by her academic achievements and community involvement.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Philosophy

  • Philosophers like Kant argued that worthiness is tied to moral value, suggesting that people have intrinsic worth due to their ability to reason.
  • Existentialists emphasize personal worthiness being determined by individual choices and actions rather than societal standards.

Psychology

  • Research shows that individuals with a strong sense of worthiness often display higher levels of self-esteem and resilience.
  • The concept is vital in therapeutic practices, where clients are encouraged to recognize their intrinsic worth to combat feelings of unworthiness.

Cultural Perspectives

  • In some cultures, worthiness is assessed based on community contribution, rather than personal achievements, highlighting interdependence among members.
  • Certain spiritual practices emphasize the inherent worthiness of every person, promoting themes of love and acceptance in community life.

Literature

  • In various literary themes, worthiness often serves as a central conflict, with characters battling societal judgments to prove their value.
  • Classic tales like Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' explore worthiness through themes of duty, honor, and the struggle for identity.

Origin of 'worthiness'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Old English 'weorth,' meaning value or worth, combined with the suffix '-ness' to denote a state or quality.
  • Similar words in other languages include the German 'Würdigkeit' and the Latin 'dignitas,' both signaling value and respect.

The word 'worthiness' originated from the Middle English word 'worthinesse', which in turn came from the Old English word 'weorþnes'. It has been used in the English language for centuries, evolving to represent the quality of being deserving of respect or attention. The concept of worthiness is deeply ingrained in human societies, where individuals are often judged based on their actions, qualities, and achievements.

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

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,613, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.