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

From lockdown to the premiere, what day on the set of The Uprising set made the entire experience worthwhile? — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2026

With its time difference — this is the first NFL regular-season game to be played on a different day local time than in the United States — and long travel, the league needs this game to succeed for the enterprise to be considered worthwhile. — Matt Barrows, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026

That would be a worthwhile outcome—or at least, a move in the right direction to a worthwhile outcome. — Emily Forlini, Fortune, 10 Sep. 2026

The best cardigans never go out of style, which is why buying one is a worthwhile investment no matter the trend du jour. — Camille Freestone, Glamour, 10 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