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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Synonyms for worth

Synonyms: Noun

account, merit, valuation, value

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

Kendricks signed a one-year deal worth up to $4.5 million. — Bob Condotta, The Seattle Times, "Seahawks linebacker Mychal Kendricks’ sentencing hearing pushed back again," 25 Mar. 2019 But Jameela, who started the Instagram page I_Weigh to call attention to the fact that people's worth isn't based on their weight, didn't stop after that. — Brittney Mcnamara, Teen Vogue, "Jameela Jamil Called Out Khloé Kardashian and a Detox Tea Company For Promoting Unhealthy Products," 21 Mar. 2019 Kim Kardashian, a vocal advocate for prison reform, wanted to use her celebrity status for good and offered to pay five years' worth of rent for Matthew Charles, a former inmate. — Nicole Saunders, Harper's BAZAAR, "Kim Kardashian Offers to Pay Five Years of Rent for a Former Inmate Yet He Was Denied a Home," 18 Mar. 2019 Overall, one garbage truck's worth of textiles is dumped or incinerated every second. — Erin Quinn-kong, Woman's Day, "Are Your Fast-Fashion Clothes Killing Farmers?," 14 Feb. 2019 Up to $50 billion worth is allowed to expire every month under the plan, though the actual amounts have... — Nick Timiraos, WSJ, "A $4 Trillion Scapegoat for Market Volatility: the Fed’s Shrinking Portfolio," 28 Jan. 2019 And that's after a bit of a slump: Forbes had his overall 2018 worth at a cool $50 billion. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "Michael Bloomberg's Net Worth Ranks Him Among the World's Top Billionaires," 26 Jan. 2019 With its test flights next year, the Defiant will soon have a chance to prove its worth. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Will the Defiant Be the Helicopter That Finally Replaces the Black Hawk?," 26 Dec. 2018 In exchange, Bezos is donating a tiny fraction of his net worth to organizations that address the symptoms of inequality without tackling the root causes. — Gaby Del Valle, Vox, "Jeff Bezos’s philanthropic projects aren’t as generous as they seem," 29 Nov. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Preposition

Plus, the sweet scent alone is enough to make this face mask worth a try. — Amina Lake Abdelrahman, Good Housekeeping, "This $15 Overnight Face Mask Is Saving My Dry Skin This Winter," 15 Feb. 2019 Each member is worth a real fortune, and millions upon millions of British pounds are passed down through each generation from inheritance. — Lucy Wood, Marie Claire, "Why Prince Harry Inherited More Money Than Prince William When Their Great-Grandmother Died," 9 Aug. 2018 Here are a few new science reads worth giving — or keeping for yourself. — Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, "Annual Science Reads for the Holidays," 24 Nov. 2018 Still, the Lone Star state is worth a mention here because of Texas’s size and growing population. — Andrew Prokop, Vox, "7 key governor races that could let Democrats roll back gerrymandering," 5 Nov. 2018 Shop the 35 best fall coats here at every price point, from a timeless (wallet-friendly!) trench to several stylish faux furs worth the splurge. — Anny Choi, Vogue, "Shop Fall’s Best Coats at Every Price Point," 25 Sep. 2018 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

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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