First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1worth
verb \ˈwərth\
Definition of WORTH
intransitive verb
archaic : become —usually used in the phrase woe worth
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Origin of WORTH
Middle English, from Old English weorthan; akin to Old High German werdan to become, Latin vertere to turn, Lithuanian versti to overturn, Sanskrit vartate he turns
2worth
adjective
Definition of WORTH
1
archaic : having monetary or material value
Origin of WORTH
Middle English, from Old English weorth worthy, of (a specified) value; akin to Old High German werd worthy, worth
First Known Use: before 12th century
3worth
noun
: an amount of something that has a specified value, that lasts for a specified length of time, etc.
: the amount of money that something is worth
: usefulness or importance
Full Definition of WORTH
1
a : monetary value <farmhouse and lands of little worth> b : the equivalent of a specified amount or figure <a dollar's worth of gas>
2
: the value of something measured by its qualities or by the esteem in which it is held <a literary heritage of great worth>
3
a : moral or personal value <trying to teach human worth> b : merit, excellence <a field in which we have proved our worth>
See worth defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of WORTH
before 12th century
4worth
preposition
—used to indicate the value of something
: having money and possessions equal in value to (an amount)
: good, valuable, or important enough for (something) : deserving of (something)
Full Definition of WORTH
1
a : equal in value to b : having assets or income equal to
2
: deserving of <well worth the effort>
— worth one's salt
: of substantial or significant value or merit
See worth defined for English-language learners
See worth defined for kids
First Known Use of WORTH
13th century
WORTH Defined for Kids
1worth
preposition \ˈwərth\
Definition of WORTH for Kids
1
: equal in value to <The painting is worth thousands of dollars.>
2
: having possessions or income equal to <She is worth millions.>
3
: deserving of <This project is worth the effort.>
4
: capable of <I ran for all I was worth.>
2worth
noun
Definition of WORTH for Kids
1
: the value or usefulness of something or someone <Teammates praised his worth to the team.>
2
: value as expressed in money or in amount of time something will last <a week's worth of groceries>
3
: excellence <a man of worth>
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