DictionaryAI

worth

SayWURTH/wɝθ/UK/wɜːθ/

Noun pluralworths

7 meanings of worth

Practice

  1. 1
    pays offadjective
    Good or useful enough that spending time, money, or effort on it is a good idea.

    The long climb was worth it for the view at the top.

    All those late nights were worth the final result.

    UsageSay worth it or worth seeing (not incorrect: worth to see).

  2. 2
    money amountadjective
    Having a certain value, or able to be traded for a certain amount of money.

    Like a ticket that can be swapped for a set number of rides.

    The painting is worth a lot of money.

    My old phone isn't worth much now.

    UsageSay worth and an amount: worth ten dollars, worth a lot.

  3. 3
    valuenouncountable or uncountable
    How much someone or something is valued, in money or because of their good qualities.

    No one knew the true worth of the old painting.

    The ring's worth surprised everyone at the sale.

    UsageSay the worth of something, or prove your worth.

    Similarvalue, merit, importance, usefulness

    Note
  4. 4
    amount (time)noununcountable
    The amount of something you can buy for a certain sum, or that is made or used in a set time.

    She packed a week's worth of clothes for the trip.

    They lost a whole day's worth of work in the power cut.

    UsageSay a week's worth of food or ten dollars' worth of gas.

    Similarsupply

Less common meanings

  1. 5
    adjectiveobsolete
    Valuable, or good enough to be worthwhile.
    Note
  2. 6
    happen toverbobsolete
    To happen to or come upon someone, as good or bad fortune.

    Woe worth the day the flood swept away their home.

    Sonne of man, prophecie and say, Thus saith the Lord God, Howle ye, woe worth the day.
    1611, The Holy Bible, King James VersionHere, worth means to happen to or come upon, as in woe come to the day.

    UsageFound in old curses: woe worth the day.

    Note
  3. 7
    nounobsoleteuncountable
    A high position in society, such as noble rank.
    Note

Practice

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Origins

Meanings 1–5, 7

From Old English weorþ, going back to a Proto-Germanic word meaning "worthy, valuable." It is related to German wert and Dutch waard.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

Meaning 6

From Old English weorþan, meaning "to become" or "to come into being," from a Proto-Germanic root about turning out or happening.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

  • The verb worth descends from Old English weorþan, meaning to become or come into being. en.wiktionary.org
  • Old English weorþan descends from a Proto-Germanic verb associated with becoming or happening, historically connected with turning. en.wiktionary.org