self-worth

noun

: a sense of one's own value as a human being : self-esteem
feelings of self-worth
a lack of self-worth
helping to build/develop self-worth
people with low/greater/higher self-worth
Too often, college students base their self-worth solely on their GPA.Marcia Morris
… jobs that gave them not only wages and health care and pensions but also a context, a sense of self-worth, a kind of identity.Lance Morrow
… a five-minute film that touches on themes of building inner strength and developing a strong sense of self-worth.Natalie Proulx

Examples of self-worth in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Eight of Pentacles arrives when your dedication to your craft, your health, or your self-worth begins to pay off. Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025 Your concern about her self-worth is an important and interesting one. Miriam Kirmayer, SELF, 1 Oct. 2025 Your success may depend on working through self-worth issues. Usa Today, USA Today, 28 Sep. 2025 My self-confidence and self-worth had been destroyed. Soph Warnes, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for self-worth

Word History

First Known Use

1815, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-worth was in 1815

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Self-worth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-worth. Accessed 4 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

self-worth

noun
-ˈwərth

More from Merriam-Webster on self-worth

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!