worthless

adjective

worth·​less ˈwərth-ləs 

1

a

: lacking worth : valueless

worthless currency

b

: useless

worthless to continue searching

2

: contemptible, despicable

a worthless criminal

worthlessly adverb

worthlessness noun

Synonyms

• empty
• valueless
• cheap
• flawed
• no-good
• vain

Examples of worthless in a Sentence

The boots may be nice, but they're worthless if they don't fit you.

She's depressed and believes that she's worthless.

Recent Examples on the Web

The incumbents protect the fort until the fort is worthless (cliche cf. —Forrester, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025

Barring a last-second surprise, their bets are scheduled to expire worthless when the clock strikes 11 p.m. Texas local time. —Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 30 June 2025

Ready for a Vogue cover, a spot on 'ET,' more worthless performative nonsense. —Edward Segarra, USA Today, 30 June 2025

What if your government made the calm, rational decision that your country must cease to exist, then set about shutting it down in stages, as the currency became worthless and the population scrambled to emigrate? —Judy Berman, Time, 27 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

worthless

adjective

worth·​less ˈwərth-ləs 

1

a

: lacking worth : valueless

b

: useless

worthless to continue searching

2

: deserving of hatred or pity

a worthless coward

worthlessly adverb

worthlessness noun