worthwhile

[ wurth-hwahyl, -wahyl ]

adjective

1. such as to repay one's time, attention, interest, work, trouble, etc.:

   a worthwhile book.

   Synonyms: beneficial, rewarding, valuable

worthwhile

/ ˌwɜːθˈwaɪl /

adjective

1. sufficiently important, rewarding, or valuable to justify time or effort spent

Other Words From

• worthwhileness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of worthwhile¹

First recorded in 1865–70; worth ¹ + while

Example Sentences

What’s harder, and what would have made for a more worthwhile film, is to explain why such vapidity appeals to young people.

From Time

I got to wondering whether the field of economics had anything worthwhile to say about disgust.

From Freakonomics

Once you’ve sized up the risk to yourself and others and still think it’s worthwhile to submit potential evidence to the proper authorities, be strategic.

From Popular-Science

Buccaneers Coach Bruce Arians also struggles to be a worthwhile betting interest.

From Washington Post

Every few years, it can be worthwhile to change or upgrade hosting to faster infrastructure.

From Search Engine Watch

Whatever else may have been on the viewing docket, this is more worthwhile.

From The Daily Beast

The most worthwhile things in life rarely come easy, this is a lesson I've always known.

From The Daily Beast

Dr. Saltz also believes confronting the uncomfortable realities of your past can be worthwhile.

From The Daily Beast

Obama instead attended a pair of political fundraisers, though one was for Sen. Dick Durbin and was unquestionably worthwhile.

From The Daily Beast

The final requirement of a great director is that he has something worthwhile to say.

From The Daily Beast

"They'll sell their lives for something worthwhile, tonight," said Holaf into my ear, as we set off on their trail.

From Project Gutenberg

Ann makes many new, worthwhile friends during her first year at Forest Hill College.

From Project Gutenberg

Because more worthwhile information was gathered for some species than others, the length and completeness of the accounts vary.

From Project Gutenberg

Somehow, since I've talked so much with Mr. McPhearson, learning things seems more worthwhile.

From Project Gutenberg

Always there was some really worthwhile present about which endless whispering and the greatest secrecy was maintained.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• advantageous
• beneficial
• constructive
• excellent
• good
• important
• invaluable
• justifiable
• lucrative
• productive
• profitable
• rewarding
• useful
• valuable
• worthy