worth

play

verb \ˈwərth\

Definition of worth

archaic

intransitive verb
: become —usually used in the phrase woe worth

Recent Examples of worth from the Web

Before the unprecedented operation was disrupted, the bikers stole over 150 Jeep Wranglers worth a total of around $4.5 million.

— cyrus farivar, Ars Technica, "Feds: Mexican motorcycle club used stolen key data to fuel massive Jeep heist," 1 July 2017
Was Butler really worth a contract extension worth as much as $220 million if the Bulls were staring at life in the middle of the East in the LeBron James Era?

— david haugh, chicagotribune.com, "Don't judge Bulls' trade of Jimmy Butler on Timberwolves' success," 26 June 2017
WHEN A CARD ISN’T WORTH IT Getting an airline card primarily for bag benefits isn’t a good move if: —You’re an infrequent flyer who travels alone or doesn’t typically fly a single airline.

— gregory karp, The Seattle Times, "Airline credit card can soothe baggage headaches," 1 June 2017
WHEN A CARD ISN’T WORTH IT Getting an airline card primarily for bag benefits isn’t a good move if: —You’re an infrequent flyer who travels alone or doesn’t typically fly a single airline.

— Washington Post, "Airline credit card can soothe baggage headaches," 1 June 2017
According to French customs officials, 750,000 pills worth an estimated $1.7 million were found hidden in industrial molds being transported from Lebanon.

— adam taylor, Washington Post, "In a first, authorities say they found 750,000 ‘Captagon’ pills in France," 30 May 2017
A North Carolina sheriff's deputy investigating a complaint stumbled across an opium poppy field worth an estimated $500 million, officials said.

— corky siemaszko, NBC News, "$500 Million Opium Poppy Field Discovered in North Carolina," 25 May 2017
And of course, there are some things happening in the south of France worth a mention, thanks to none other than Rihanna and Bella Hadid.

— erika harwood, Vanities, "Week in Fashion: Kate Moss Shimmers in London," 19 May 2017
Del Quentin Wilber wrote a profile of McCabe in 2016 that’s worth a read.

— john myers, latimes.com, "Essential Politics: As Trump fires FBI director, the political world hits hyperdrive," 10 May 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of worth

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

worth

adjective

Definition of worth

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

Recent Examples of worth from the Web

Brianne Hetzel, assistant traffic studies engineer with ODOT District 8, said ODOT districts and local governments submitted 34 projects worth more than $64 million in the spring application round for the highway safety grants.

— jennie key, Cincinnati.com, "Sidewalks coming to stretch of Colerain Avenue," 20 July 2017
These deals are lucrative and the company has been awarded contracts worth $125.6 million since 2007 and $8.5 million last year alone, according to InsideGov, a database that tracks government contracts.

— cam wolf, GQ, "Trump’s Made in America Week Shows Us Why Nothing Is Made in America Anymore," 19 July 2017
The PVA says the house and 10 acres bought by Bevin, plus an additional nine adjoining acres Bevin did not buy, is worth $2.97 million.

— tom loftus, The Courier-Journal, "A restored mansion or house in disrepair? Board to hear arguments Wednesday on value of Bevin's Anchorage home," 19 July 2017
A large amount of marijuana, which authorities said was worth $1 million, crossed the US-Mexico border packed inside the trunks of a new arrival of Ford Fusions, CNN reported.

— slade rand, NOLA.com, "Authorities find $1 million in marijuana packed in brand new Ford Fusions: report," 17 July 2017
Using the Yoga in slate mode does seem a bit more natural without the keyboard keys sticking out, but this feature alone probably isn’t worth upgrading for.

— christopher null, WIRED, "Review: Lenovo X1 Yoga Gen 2," 14 July 2017
The men’s contest is a Qualifying Series event worth 10,000 points, a vital contest for those trying to qualify for the World Championship Tour.

— joe haakenson, Daily Pilot, "Joe Surf: HB prepares for Vans U.S. Open of Surfing," 13 July 2017
And my latest find, a DIY pore strip hack courtesy of beauty blogger Sadiaslayy, is certainly worth checking out.

— sarah kinonen, Allure, "Beauty Blogger Sadiaslayy Made a DIY Pore Strip With Egg Whites and Toilet Paper," 12 July 2017
Although pretty, those Pinterest recipes just aren't worth it.

— taysha murtaugh, Country Living, "The Scary Reason You Should Never Bake Anything In a Mason Jar," 11 July 2017

Origin and Etymology of worth

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

worth

noun

Definition of worth

1a : monetary value farmhouse and lands of little worthb : 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 worthb : merit, excellence a field in which we have proved our worth
4 : wealth, riches

See worth defined for English-language learners

Examples of worth in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of worth from the Web

Between 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m., attendees will compete for more than $5,000 worth of prizes at Plaza de Mexico.

— chloe salsameda, Pacific San Diego Magazine, "Where to celebrate on Opening Day," 14 July 2017
Have plenty of fresh water and non-perishable food items stocked, and keep at least two week's worth of prescriptions on hand.

— rebecca mcbane, South Florida Parenting, "Weathering Pregnancy: For soon-to-be moms in South Florida, hurricane season is extra stressful," 13 July 2017
A reception will be held Monday night, and about $3,500 worth of prize money will be handed out.

— talia richman, Howard County Times, "Almost a year after devastating flood, artists flock to Ellicott City to paint outdoors," 9 July 2017
With about one out of every three Americans contracting shingles, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this is one development worth noting.

— carly breit, Woman's Day, "Shingles May Raise Your Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke, Says Study," 7 July 2017
In addition, $11,500 worth of grants was awarded to teachers with deserving projects from Eastview High School as well as the elementary and middle schools that feed into the high school.

— pioneer press, Twin Cities, "Business People: Sunday, June 11," 10 June 2017
Arcview Market Research estimates California customers munched on about $180 million worth of edibles last year — comprising 10 percent of the state’s overall marijuana sales.

— marisa kendall, The Cannifornian, "Edibles are gobbling up California’s marijuana market," 31 May 2017
Kushner’s sister Nicole Kushner Meyer went to Beijing seeking a hundred and fifty million dollars’ worth of financing for 1 Journal Square, a Kushner Companies luxury-apartment development in Jersey City.

— jiayang fan, The New Yorker, "Trump, Confucius, and China’s Vision," 19 May 2017
The Trump administration, filled with Iran hawks, is on the verge of inking a series of arms deals with Riyadh worth more than $100 billion.

— mehdi hasan, The Intercept, "Donald Trump Said Saudi Arabia Was Behind 9/11. Now He’s Going There on His First Foreign Trip.," 18 May 2017

First Known Use of worth

before 12th century

worth

preposition

Definition of worth

1a : equal in value tob : having assets or income equal to
2 : deserving of well worth the effort

worth one's salt

: of substantial or significant value or merit

See worth defined for English-language learners

See worth defined for kids

Examples of worth in a Sentence

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

First Known Use of worth

13th century

WORTH Defined for English Language Learners

worth

noun

Definition of worth for English Language Learners

: an amount of something that has a specified value, that lasts for a specified length of time, etc.
: the amount of money that something is worth
: usefulness or importance

worth

preposition

Definition of worth for English Language Learners

—used to indicate the value of something
: having money and possessions equal in value to (an amount)
: good, valuable, or important enough for (something) : deserving of (something)

WORTH Defined for Kids

worth

play

preposition \ˈwərth\

Definition of worth for Students

1 : equal in value to The painting is worth thousands of dollars.
2 : having possessions or income equal to She is worth millions.
3 : deserving of This project is worth the effort.
4 : capable of I ran for all I was worth.

worth

play

noun

Definition of worth for Students

1 : the value or usefulness of something or someone Teammates praised his worth to the team.
2 : value as expressed in money or in amount of time something will last a week's worth of groceries
3 : excellence a man of worth