WORTH

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does Worth mean? 

• WORTH (noun)
  The noun WORTH has 3 senses:

1. an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value

2. the quality that renders something desirable or valuable or useful

3. French couturier (born in England) regarded as the founder of Parisian haute couture; noted for introducing the bustle (1825-1895)

  Familiarity information: WORTH used as a noun is uncommon.

• WORTH (adjective)
  The adjective WORTH has 2 senses:

1. (often used ironically) worthy of being treated in a particular way

2. having a specified value

  Familiarity information: WORTH used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• WORTH (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

An indefinite quantity of something having a specified value

Classified under:

Nouns denoting quantities and units of measure

Context example:

10 dollars worth of gasoline

Hypernyms ("worth" is a kind of...):

indefinite quantity (an estimated quantity)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "worth"):

ha'p'orth; halfpennyworth (the amount that can be bought for a halfpenny)

penn'orth; pennyworth (the amount that can be bought for a penny)

Derivation:

worth (having a specified value)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The quality that renders something desirable or valuable or useful

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Hypernyms ("worth" is a kind of...):

quality (an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "worth"):

value (the quality (positive or negative) that renders something desirable or valuable)

merit; virtue (any admirable quality or attribute)

demerit; fault (the quality of being inadequate or falling short of perfection)

praisworthiness (the property of deserving praise)

worthwhileness (value sufficient to repay time or effort spent)

price (the high value or worth of something)

Antonym:

worthlessness (having no qualities that would render it valuable or useful)

Derivation:

worth ((often used ironically) worthy of being treated in a particular way)

worthy (having worth or merit or value; being honorable or admirable)

Sense 3

Meaning:

French couturier (born in England) regarded as the founder of Parisian haute couture; noted for introducing the bustle (1825-1895)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Synonyms:

Charles Frederick Worth; Worth

Instance hypernyms:

clothes designer; couturier; designer; fashion designer (someone who designs clothing)

• WORTH (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

(often used ironically) worthy of being treated in a particular way

Synonyms:

deserving; worth

Context example:

a deserving cause

Similar:

worthy (having worth or merit or value; being honorable or admirable)

Domain usage:

irony (a trope that involves incongruity between what is expected and what occurs)

Derivation:

worth (the quality that renders something desirable or valuable or useful)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Having a specified value

Context example:

an appraisal determined the antique carved chair was worth $900

Similar:

valuable (having great material or monetary value especially for use or exchange)

Derivation:

worth (an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value)

 Context examples 

You wouldn't have me let that fine fellow work himself to death just for want of a little help, when he is worth a dozen of us lazy chaps, would you?

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

There was nothing worth mentioning in the material world, but Dora Spenlow, to be astonished about.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

It was worth a stolen supper to bring two such men together.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“I shall pay you whatever you judge your delay and trouble to be worth.”

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

It would almost be worth while to complete the experiment.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

“No, nevaire! Heem worth one t’ousan’ dollair, by Gar! Eh? Wot you say, Perrault?”

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

Anne was tenderness itself, and she had the full worth of it in Captain Wentworth's affection.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

You must really begin to harden yourself to the idea of being worth looking at.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

Ah! he cried, I wish your father might be half as easily convinced as John will be, of our having every right that equal worth can give, to be happy together.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

Of her other, her older, her more established friend, Isabella, of whose fidelity and worth she had enjoyed a fortnight's experience, she scarcely saw anything during the evening.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)