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 of worthless

• 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

Predicting future compliance from here is worthless, but using the most recent figures (2023-24) does highlight some who might need to adjust business models. —Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2025

Of course, gorgeous colors in a laboratory are functionally worthless in the real world if a single dunk in the washing machine turns vibrant rainbows into a single shade of grey. —New Atlas, 2 Dec. 2025

But when an event is over and the market resolves, holders of winning shares win everything, each receives $1 per share, while losing shares are worthless. —Will Croxton, CBS News, 1 Dec. 2025

The bears with their spreadsheets would tell you those chips are worthless. —Zev Fima, CNBC, 21 Nov. 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