worthwhile
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of worthwhile
Explanation
Things that are worthwhile are good — they're worth the time or money you spend on them. If you walked out of the theater and said "Wow, I'm glad I saw that movie!", then your film viewing trip was worthwhile. If going to the gym helped you get in better shape, it was worthwhile. If hanging out in the park made you happy, it was worthwhile. If something is a total waste of time and you wish you hadn't done it, then it wasn't worthwhile.
Vocabulary lists containing worthwhile
Because of Mr. Terupt
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List 9
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"The Ugly One," Vocabulary from Chapters 21-25
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
There is bipartisan agreement that fraud against the government is a problem—and a worthwhile focus for the Justice Department.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026
"I don't think it is worthwhile trying to get them and I've not seen anywhere I could have bought them."
From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026
For these targets, the energy required for the full journey may be low enough to make mining and delivery worthwhile.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 7, 2026
Would it be worthwhile to request a review or hearing to determine whether her SSI amount should be increased based on her current living situation?
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 4, 2026
She smiled for the first time in days, and that made it all worthwhile.
From "The Battle of the Labyrinth" by Rick Riordan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
