Worth
n.thoughtful, kindwarm
Meaning 1
The value or importance of a person independent of output or status.
Reach for it when affirming inherent dignity without making it conditional on usefulness
A difficult season did nothing to reduce her worth.
Choose between these
4- everyday
when importance should be stated broadly
not when Value can reduce a person's worth to an economic or conditional judgment.
- warm
when inherent entitlement to respect is central
not when Dignity is not a score or comparison and should not be reduced to practical worth.
- professional
significance
when impact or meaning is the real idea
not when Significance can depend on context and does not affirm personal dignity.
- formal
when a contribution or quality deserves recognition
not when Merit is earned or assessed, unlike inherent human worth.
Meaning 2
The usefulness, importance, or exchange value of something.
Reach for it when assessing an object, action, or idea against a stated purpose
The trial demonstrated the worth of keeping a manual backup.
Choose between these
4- everyday
when a positive result should be named
not when Benefit is the gain produced, not the broader worth of the method.
- everyday
when practical service is the exact test
not when Usefulness is instrumental and cannot measure a person's worth.
- professional
importance
when consequences or priority matter more than utility
not when Importance can arise from risk or harm and does not always imply positive worth.
- professional
when benefit or exchange assessment is needed
not when Value may be monetary, while worth can also concern usefulness or importance.
Said against
4- worthlessness
- devaluation
- uselessness
- triviality
It naturally appears in
4- sense of worth
The mentor strengthened each apprentice's sense of worth without avoiding correction.
- inherent worth
Every patient has inherent worth regardless of prognosis or income.
- prove its worth
The low-cost sensor will prove its worth only if it remains accurate in winter.
- worth of the work
The worth of the work lies in safer homes, not the number of reports.
Where this comes from
- Wiktionary, English noun sense: value or merit of a person opens in a new tab for meaning 1 · retrieved 2026-07-26
- Wiktionary, English noun sense: value, usefulness, or importance opens in a new tab for meaning 2 · retrieved 2026-07-26
The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.