worthy

1 of 3

adjective

wor·​thy ˈwər-t͟hē 

worthier; worthiest

1

a

: having worth or value : estimable

a worthy cause

b

: honorable, meritorious

worthy candidates

2

: having sufficient worth or importance

worthy to be remembered

worthily

ˈwər-t͟hə-lē 

adverb

worthiness

ˈwər-t͟hē-nəs 

noun

worthy

2 of 3

noun

plural worthies

: a worthy or prominent person

-worthy

3 of 3

adjective combining form

1

: fit or safe for

a seaworthy vessel

2

: of sufficient worth for

a newsworthy event

Synonyms

Adjective

• deserving
• good
• meritorious

Examples of worthy in a Sentence

Adjective

Your donations will be going to a worthy cause.

I consider him a worthy opponent.

She is a worthy successor to the mayor.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

For example, if Thursday’s events don’t present them with a worthy QB at No. 12 overall — their first draft slot — the Broncos should be willing to draft right tackle Taliese Fuaga despite their large financial obligations to starter Mike McGlinchey, 29, through 2025. —Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2024

Roger Ream of the Fund for American Studies is a worthy recipient of the Philadelphia Society’s Baron Award. —Neal B. Freeman, National Review, 23 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing worthy

• worthy of
• worthy of belief

Kids Definition

worthy

1 of 2 adjective

wor·​thy ˈwər-t͟hē 

worthier; worthiest

1

a

: having worth or value

a worthy cause

b

: honorable sense 1

worthy candidates

2

: having enough value or excellence

a student worthy of the prize

worthily

-t͟hə-lē 

adverb

worthiness

-thē-nəs 

noun

worthy

2 of 2 noun

plural worthies

: a worthy person