Reading Theme:
Worth: Meaning, Examples, and Correct Usage (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：value (worth)
worth
/wɜːrθ/
adj., n.
How much money something costs, or how important or useful someone or something is.
value
➕
/ˈvæljuː/
adj., n.
The financial or material worth of something; the level of importance or usefulness.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Old English 'weorþ' (value), akin to German 'Wert'.
💡 Mnemonic
Remember: 'Worth' sounds like 'worth it' — if something is worth, you say it's worth it.
📖 Example
The antique vase he found in his attic is worth a small fortune.
The antique vase he found in his attic has a value of a small fortune.
🔗 Collocations
be worth something – to have a particular value in money
worth the money – providing good value for the amount paid
worth it – sufficiently good or important to justify the effort or cost
🔄 Synonyms
value (n.) – the monetary or material worth of something
price (n.) – the amount of money for which something is sold or bought
importance (n.) – the quality of being significant or having great worth
🚫 Antonyms
worthlessness (n.) – the state of having no value or importance
insignificance (n.) – the quality of being unimportant or trivial
🌱 Derivatives
worthy (adj.) – having worth or value; deserving respect
worthless (adj.) – having no value or use
worthwhile (adj.) – sufficiently valuable or important to justify the time or effort
📖 Cultural Story
The word 'worth' traces back to Proto-Germanic *werþaz, meaning 'opposite, equivalent'. In Old English, 'weorþ' denoted value or price. It has been central to economic and moral discussions for centuries.
Meaning 2：deserving (worth)
worth
/wɜːrθ/
adj., n.
Good or important enough to spend your time, money, or effort on.
deserving
➕
/dɪˈzɜːrvɪŋ/
adj., n.
Deserving of one's time, money, or effort; sufficiently good or important.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The new movie has amazing special effects, making the high ticket price totally worth it.
The new movie has amazing special effects, making the high ticket price totally deserving of the cost.
🔗 Collocations
be worth it – to be sufficiently good or important to justify the effort or cost
worth doing – deserving of being done because of the benefits
worth the effort – providing enough return for the amount of work invested
🔄 Synonyms
valuable (adj.) – having great worth or usefulness
beneficial (adj.) – producing good results or advantages
rewarding (adj.) – providing satisfaction or a sense of achievement
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
worthy (adj.) – having worth or value; deserving respect
worthwhile (adj.) – sufficiently valuable or important to justify the time or effort
Wordbook
Your data is saved in this browser