worth

noun

\ ˈwərth

Definition of worth

(Entry 1 of 4)

1a : monetary value farmhouse and lands of little worth

b : the equivalent of a specified amount or figure a dollar's worth of gas

2 : the value of something measured by its qualities or by the esteem in which it is held a literary heritage of great worth

3a : moral or personal value trying to teach human worth

b : merit, excellence a field in which we have proved our worth

4 : wealth, riches

worth

preposition

Definition of worth (Entry 2 of 4)

1a : equal in value to

b : having assets or income equal to

2 : deserving of well worth the effort

worth one's salt

: of substantial or significant value or merit

worth

adjective

Definition of worth (Entry 3 of 4)

1 archaic : having monetary or material value

2 archaic : estimable

for all one is worth

: to the fullest extent of one's value or ability

worth

verb

worthed; worthing; worths

Definition of worth (Entry 4 of 4)

intransitive verb

archaic

: become —usually used in the phrase woe worth

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about worth

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Examples of worth in a Sentence

Noun

A diamond's worth is determined partly by its cut and clarity. The worth of the stocks has increased. The furniture was of little worth since it was in such bad condition. He has proved his worth to the team. The book has proved its worth by saving me hundreds of dollars.

Preposition

an actor worth several million dollars The corporation is worth billions of dollars. A carefully written cover letter and resume is worth the effort. It takes a long time to get a table at the restaurant, but the food is well worth the wait. The movie was good, but I didn't think it was worth all the fuss. Chicago is worth a visit. I think you'll really like it. Do you think the car is worth buying? It is worth noting that his father and mother are also doctors. This book is not worth reading. an idea well worth consideration

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The candidates spent the most at WBAL-TV, Channel 11, buying a combined $717,000 worth of airtime, according to the contracts posted on the FCC’s website. — Pamela Wood, baltimoresun.com, "Baltimore County Democrats spent nearly $1.7M on TV ads in primary," 14 July 2018 The show vote came the day after Trump announced a new 10 percent tariff on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods. — James Hohmann, Washington Post, "The Daily 202: Toothless trade resolution demonstrates Congress’s unwillingness to check Trump," 12 July 2018 Just last week Trump imposed a 25 percent tariff on $34 billion worth of Chinese imports. — Madeleine Ngo, Vox, "Trump just intensified his trade war with China," 11 July 2018 The United States slapped a 25 percent tax on $34 billion worth of Chinese imports, and China is retaliating with taxes on an equal amount of U.S. products, including soybeans, pork and electric cars. — Paul Wiseman And Josh Boak, chicagotribune.com, "U.S.-China trade war could drive prices up and growth down," 6 July 2018 Early Friday, Washington increased tariffs at 12:01 a.m. ET on $34 billion worth of Chinese imports. — Chris Ciaccia, Fox News, "Trump's trade war cited as a major risk by US companies," 6 July 2018 These include tariffs set to go into effect on Friday on $34 billion worth of Chinese imports; China is set to retaliate with its own tariffs on American goods, including food and automotive imports. — Recode Staff, Recode, "Recode Daily: China says Trump’s U.S. is “opening fire on the entire world”," 5 July 2018 In March 2016, his space transportation company, SpaceX, bought $90 million worth of SolarCity stock. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Tesla Layoffs Likely Hitting Solar Panel Divisions, Internal Documents Show," 22 June 2018 Purdue bought more than $18 million worth of advertising in major medical journals that cheerily touted OxyContin. — Fred Schulte, Sun-Sentinel.com, "How America got hooked on the deadly drug OxyContin," 18 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Preposition

MOSCOW — England saw its best chance of ending several generations’ worth of World Cup pain slip away on Wednesday night, as Croatia fought back for a 2-1 win in extra time, securing a spot against France in Sunday’s final. — Martin Rogers, USA TODAY, "Croatia tops England in extra time to reach World Cup final," 11 July 2018 The Gunner star recently signed a contract extension worth a reported £350,000 a week through the summer of 2021. — SI.com, "Mesut Özil's Father Encourages Him to Retire From International Duty for Germany," 8 July 2018 Bradley to stay in LA Former Celtics guard Avery Bradley agreed to a two-year contract worth a reported $25 million with the Clippers . . — BostonGlobe.com, "Terrell Owens off to Chattanooga for induction speech," 4 July 2018 The charges stem from her alleged use of outside caterers in their official residence — who reportedly prepared meals worth a total of $99,000. — James Hohmann, Washington Post, "The Daily 202: Under Trump, Americans are becoming more supportive of immigration," 22 June 2018 But finishing each day at Blackberry Farm, the best spot in the country for foothills (or Appalachian) cuisine, makes this trip worth the splurge. — Ac Shilton, Outside Online, "The Food Adventures We Covet Most," 5 July 2018 But the system itself is worth more to crooks than the money and is unlikely to disappear. — The Economist, "Trends in extortion payments by companies to Italy’s Mafia," 14 June 2018 But private interests are worth more than national team for some. — SI.com, "Wife of Argentina's Sergio Romero Hits Out at Drop & Claims Goalkeeper Would Be Fit for World Cup," 23 May 2018 Win with the windows: Aliens in the windows are worth a lot of points, and those on the second story are worth more than those on the first. — Kathleen Christiansen, OrlandoSentinel.com, "How to get a high score on Men in Black: Alien Attack," 26 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'worth.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of worth

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Preposition

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

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for worth

Adjective

Middle English, from Old English weorth worthy, of (a specified) value; akin to Old High German werd worthy, worth

Verb

Middle English, from Old English weorthan; akin to Old High German werdan to become, Latin vertere to turn, Lithuanian versti to overturn, Sanskrit vartate he turns

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