worthless

adjective

worth·​less ˈwərth-ləs 

1

a

: lacking worth : valueless

worthless currency

b

: useless

worthless to continue searching

2

: contemptible, despicable

a worthless criminal

worthlessly adverb

worthlessness noun

Synonyms

• empty
• valueless
• cheap
• flawed
• no-good
• vain

Examples of worthless in a Sentence

The boots may be nice, but they're worthless if they don't fit you.

She's depressed and believes that she's worthless.

Recent Examples on the Web

Rare is the business that grows by intermediating what is rendered worthless by the intermediation. —John Tamny, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025

But these systems require setup time, which is possible before a hurricane surge, but worthless during rain bombs that can turn streets into rivers in minutes. —Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2025

In my book, with a worthless doubleton in one suit, only an amateur would open one no-trump (even with 17 high-card points) unless his partner understood that such a bid might be to show HCPs only. —Deb Harvell, Arkansas Online, 24 Aug. 2025

The assurances proved worthless then. —ABC News, 17 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

worthless

adjective

worth·​less ˈwərth-ləs 

1

a

: lacking worth : valueless

b

: useless

worthless to continue searching

2

: deserving of hatred or pity

a worthless coward

worthlessly adverb

worthlessness noun