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

The rising cost of college also made apprenticeships, community college and vocational training programs a more worthwhile investment in some cases. —Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 29 Sep. 2024

The experience serves as a reminder of why basic research is worthwhile. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 27 Sep. 2024

While drinking hundreds of glasses of wine is not recommended, tapping into the topical benefits instead of an aged Cabernet bottle may be more worthwhile. —India Espy-Jones, Essence, 20 Sep. 2024

For a long time, a worthwhile show built around fashion has been the Hollywood equivalent of a designer’s sketch — a hypothetical lacking execution. —Alison Herman, Variety, 20 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1662, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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