Worthwhile: Definition, Usage & Examples

Meaning 1：worth the time and effort (worthwhile)

worthwhile 🔊

/ˈwɜːrθwaɪl/

adj.

Worth the time, money, or effort you put into something; giving you a good feeling or result.

Worthwhile concept illustrated by a person smiling after completing a difficult puzzle

worth the time and effort 🔊

➕

/wɜːrθ ðə taɪm ənd ˈefərt/

adj.

Describes something that justifies the investment of time, money, or effort, leading to a positive outcome or feeling.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Combination of 'worth' (value) and 'while' (time), meaning something worth the time spent.

💡 Mnemonic

Remember: 'worth' + 'while' = if it's worth your while, it's worthwhile!

📖 Example

Learning to bake was time-consuming, but the delicious cakes I can make now make it all worthwhile. 🔊 Although learning to bake required a lot of time, the ability to create delicious cakes now demonstrates that it was all worthwhile.

🔗 Collocations

make it worthwhile – to cause something to be worth the effort

worthwhile investment – an investment that yields good returns

worthwhile endeavor – a project or activity that is worth doing

🔄 Synonyms

rewarding (adj.) – providing satisfaction or benefit

beneficial (adj.) – having a helpful or good effect

valuable (adj.) – worth a lot in terms of money or usefulness

🚫 Antonyms

pointless (adj.) – having no purpose or value

futile (adj.) – incapable of producing any useful result

worthless (adj.) – having no real value or use

🌱 Derivatives

worthwhileness (n.) – the quality of being worthwhile

📖 Cultural Story

Emerged in the 19th century from 'worth' and 'while'. Commonly used in business, education, and personal development to assess return on investment.