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

Instead, Marks was almost worthless in fantasy while Chubb salvaged his day with a long TD jaunt. —Michael Salfino, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025

The current discount rate means that the government views the long-term future of humanity as not metaphorically but literally worthless. —Geoff Mann, The New York Review of Books, 2 Oct. 2025

But these glasses are worthless without a mobile phone. —Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 19 Sep. 2025

If the stock price stays above the strike at expiration, the put expires worthless, and the investor retains the full premium as profit. —Michael Khouw, CNBC, 18 Sep. 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