worthwhile

adjective

worth·​while ˈwərth-ˈ(h)wī(-ə)l 

1

: being worth the time or effort spent

worthwhile preparations

2

: worthy sense 1

a worthwhile cause

worthwhileness noun

Examples of worthwhile in a Sentence

The money is for a worthwhile cause.

Seeing my children's joy made building the tree house all worthwhile.

Is it worthwhile to try to fix my computer?

Recent Examples on the Web

And while some of the parrot caretakers surveyed noted the steep learning curve to train the parrots, every one of them said the project was worthwhile once concluded. —Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 2 May 2024

The outcome of a conversation will take you on a worthwhile adventure. —Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 1 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1662, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

worthwhile

adjective

worth·​while ˈwərth-ˈhwī(ə)l 

-ˈwī(ə)l

1

: being worth the time or effort spent

worthwhile preparations

2

: worthy sense 1a