worthwhile

adjective

worth·​while ˈwərth-ˈ(h)wī(-ə)l 

1

: being worth the time or effort spent

worthwhile preparations

2

: worthy sense 1

a worthwhile cause

worthwhileness noun

Examples of worthwhile in a Sentence

The money is for a worthwhile cause.

Seeing my children's joy made building the tree house all worthwhile.

Is it worthwhile to try to fix my computer?

Recent Examples on the Web

Its scope begins with selecting a worthwhile problem and extends through product development, operation, adaptation and retirement. — Mohammed Cherifi, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Desks and office chairs are also worthwhile finds, especially if your dorm room doesn’t already include them. — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 25 Sep. 2026

The co-chairman of Oaktree Capital Management implied that AI data centers could be a more worthwhile bet — even if it is not regarded as safer than Treasurys. — Sarah Min, CNBC, 24 Sep. 2026

There is no writer like Stoppard for advocating gloriously, with such relish in the argument, for both form and chaos — the miraculous possibility of meaning and the painful, worthwhile human mess that will, for the most part, obscure it. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1662, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for worthwhile

• argyle
• awhile
• beguile
• compile
• condyle
• defile
• erstwhile
• exile
• freestyle
• gentile
• hairstyle
• lifestyle

Kids Definition

worthwhile

adjective

worth·​while ˈwərth-ˈhwī(ə)l 

-ˈwī(ə)l

1

: being worth the time or effort spent

worthwhile preparations

2

: worthy sense 1a