worth1 adjectiveworth2 noun
worthworth1 /wɜːθ $ wɜːrθ/ ●●● S1 W2 adjective 
WORD ORIGINworth1
Origin:
Old English weorth ‘worthy, of a particular value’Longman Language Activatorto pay someone to do something
to pay someone for work: · How much do they pay you?pay somebody for (doing) something: · They still haven't paid her for the work she did last year.· Did she pay you for taking care of her kids?be/get paid: · We get paid at the end of every month.pay somebody £100/$200 etc: · Ziedler was ready to pay her $2000 a week.pay somebody to do something: · If you pay someone to work in your house, you have to pay Social Security taxes on the wages.pay well/badly: · Jobs in areas that use mathematical skills, such as computer programming, tend to pay well.
to pay a waiter, taxi driver etc a little extra money: · Did you tip the waiter?· It's usual to tip about 15% in restaurants.
informal if you tell someone you will make it worth their while , you mean you will give them money if they agree to do something for you, especially something dishonest or not convenient: · I didn't want to lend Terry my car, but he said he'd make it worth my while.· The basketball federation in Kuwait offered him a coaching job, and made it worth his while.
to give someone money to stop them from causing trouble or doing something that they have threatened to do: buy somebody off/buy off somebody: · Do you really think the cops can't be bought off?buy somebody off with something: · The management has been trying to buy off union activists with substantial pay offers.
when you should so something because it is sensible or healthy if you should do something, it is the best thing to do because it is good for you or it will help you -- use this especially in suggestions or to give advice: · 'Do you think I should talk to a doctor about the pain in my back?' 'Yes, you should.'should do something: · Everyone keeps telling me I should give up smoking.· Should I wear the red dress or the black one?should not/shouldn't do something: · They shouldn't worry so much. Everything will be all right.should have done something (=it was the best thing to do, but someone did not do it): · I should have started saving for my retirement when I was younger.shouldn't have done something (=it was not a sensible thing to do but someone did it): · We shouldn't have bought such a big car.
use this to say that you think someone should do something because it is good for them or will help them: · The doctor told Dan he ought to exercise more.· You ought to ask Eric. I'm sure he'd be happy to help.
especially spoken use this to say that you think someone should do something because it is sensible or it will help them avoid problems: · You'd better be careful with that knife.· It was starting to snow and we thought we had better go home.
spoken say this to emphasize that you think an idea or suggestion will help someone or prevent problems: · "I'll check the oil before we set off." "Yes, that's a good idea."it's/that's a good idea to do something: · It's a good idea to photocopy your passport in case it gets stolen.
especially spoken use this to say that someone should spend the time, money, or effort needed to do something, because they will gain something useful from it: it's worth doing: · It's worth comparing a range of models before deciding which one to buy.it's worth the time/effort etc: · It's worth all the hard work and preparation to make the show a real success.it's worth it: · Get the car thoroughly checked by a professional. It may cost a bit of money but it's worth it, believe me.it's well worth it/doing something etc: · The movie was a little difficult to follow at first but it's well worth seeing.
formal if something is advisable , someone should do it or use it in order to avoid problems and succeed in what they are trying to do: · Use of the drug is not considered advisable when driving or using machinery.it is advisable to do something: · It is advisable to take some warm clothing with you, as the weather can change quite suddenly.
what the value of something is the amount of money that something expensive, rare, or old would cost if it was sold - use this to talk about things like houses, cars, jewellery, paintings, or furniture: value of: · The value of the sculpture was estimated at $500,000.increase/fall in value: · Some fine wines increase in value as they get older.
if something is worth £1, £10, $100 etc, that is how much money it would cost if it was sold: · How much is your ring worth?be worth $500/£10 etc: · I guess their house must be worth about £500,000.· That old piano can't be worth more than $200.
to have a particular value, especially a very high value which has been calculated: · As a wedding present he gave her some pearls valued at $350,000.· They have a classic car which has been valued at a higher price than they paid for it.· At current market prices their holding in the company is valued at over $25 million.
worth a lot of money worth a lot of money and expensive to buy or replace: · Don't lose this ring -- it's very valuable.· Besides her studio apartment, she also owns a valuable estate in Italy.· Rogers had purchased a valuable Hebrew manuscript from a dealer in Jerusalem.
something that is of great value is worth a lot of money, especially a personal possession such as a work of art or a piece of jewellery: · He has a few medals of great value.· The burglars stole the television and video, but nothing of great value.
informal if something is worth a lot, you can get a lot of money if you sell it: · You should look after those old dolls - one day they could be worth a lot.
if something is worth a fortune it is worth a very large amount of money: · He was very poor when he died, but now his paintings are worth a fortune.
: precious metal/stone a valuable metal such as gold or a jewel such as a diamond: · The robe was encrusted with precious metals and stones.
worth so much money that it is impossible to calculate the price - use this about objects that are old and rare such as paintings, furniture, or jewellery: · The house was full of priceless antiques.· a priceless oil painting
without any value · When he died, all my uncle left me was a worthless plot of land.· The jewellery turned out to be completely worthless.· I'm afraid this banknote is a forgery; it's just a worthless piece of paper.
to have no value: · I don't think my stereo is worth anything now, but it was quite expensive when I bought it.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
Do you know how much the ring is worth? This art collection is worth a fortune (=worth a very large amount of money). It’s a very old machine so I shouldn’t think it’s worth anything. The man who founded the company must be worth a fortune. The film is well worth seeing. The local museum is worth a visit. It’s well worth getting there early if you want a good seat. It was a great evening, and definitely worth all the hard work. It was a lot of hard work, but it was worth it. I thought about trying to talk to him about it, but decided it wasn’t worth it. It might be worth your while to talk to the head of department.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES It didn’t seem worth bothering the doctor about. I’m not sure it will work but it’s worth a go. treasures of incalculable value All our hard work will be worth it in the long run. He seems to be milking the incident for all it’s worth (=getting as much from it as possible). Floor tiles can be difficult to clean – worth keeping in mind when you choose a new floor. Vernon estimates the company’s net worth at over $8 billion. The hotel was expensive but it was worth every penny.
Do you know how much the ring is worth? This art collection is worth a fortune (=worth a very large amount of money). It’s a very old machine so I shouldn’t think it’s worth anything. The man who founded the company must be worth a fortune. The film is well worth seeing. The local museum is worth a visit. It’s well worth getting there early if you want a good seat. It was a great evening, and definitely worth all the hard work. It was a lot of hard work, but it was worth it. I thought about trying to talk to him about it, but decided it wasn’t worth it. It might be worth your while to talk to the head of department. It didn’t seem worth bothering the doctor about. (=it is too difficult to be worth doing)
(=used to say that something is worth doing even though it is hard)· It’s a difficult place to get to, but it's well worth the effort.
informal:· The building itself is worth a fortune.
I’m not sure it will work but it’s worth a go. (=something is not worth doing because it involves a lot of problems)· I’m not going to argue with him – it’s just not worth the hassle.
treasures of incalculable value All our hard work will be worth it in the long run. (=it is important enough to mention)· It is worth mentioning again that most accidents happen in the home.
He seems to be milking the incident for all it’s worth (=getting as much from it as possible). Floor tiles can be difficult to clean – worth keeping in mind when you choose a new floor. Vernon estimates the company’s net worth at over $8 billion. The hotel was expensive but it was worth every penny.· Don’t walk home alone at night – it’s not worth the risk.
(=be worth trying to do because you may succeed)· It’s worth a try – we’ve nothing to lose.
· Las Palmas, the lively capital, is well worth a visit.
· The book is well worth reading.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► what’s it worth (to you)?► for all you are/he is etc worth► be worth something► worth your/its etc weight in goldPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► a bird in the hand (is worth two in the bush)► put in your two cents’ worth► it’s more than my job’s worth► an ounce of prevention (is worth a pound of cure)► not worth the paper it is written on/printed on
1be worth something a)to have a value in money: - And finally the Soft Sell - it will always be worth your while to invest in a stout umbrella!
- Controversy really begins when there are varying views as to whether a house is worth saving.
- Dardis assured Bernstein that it would be worth his while to fly down to Miami again.
- However, rather than getting upset about this it spurs her on to try harder to show that they are worth watching.
- I had to make her see that the exercise was worth her while.
- If he! ital! is! off! going to fight, he wants it to be worth his while.
- It could be worth your while.
- The try is to be worth five points while the drop goal will count for two points.
- I'll make sure they approve your application if you make it worth my while.
- I didn't want to lend Terry my car, but he said he'd make it worth my while.
- The basketball federation in Kuwait offered him a coaching job, and made it worth his while.
- He also has a lucrative five-year contract at Hilton that makes it worth his while to stick around.
- Obviously he would promise to make it worth your while.
- For what it's worth, I think you did a fine job.
- My feeling, for what it's worth, is that they should be regarded as wasting assets.
- A cop worth his salt wouldn't take a bribe.
- Any journalist worth her salt would have got scads more out of the tall Czechoslovakian than she had, she thought glumly.
- No brass worth her salt was even up before twelve-thirty!
- But for the converted it was worth the wait.
- He hoped some day some one would play it - if it was worth playing.
- It must demonstrate to consumers that a Pro Logic receiver is worth $ 859.
- Obviously it is worth keeping watch over the pond during these times to ensure that the fish do not become stuck.
- Symington has maintained that the funds had locked themselves into making the loans regardless of what he said his holdings were worth.
- The gazettes are worth an army of 300,000 men to Napoleon.
- To him an evening with one woman is worth an evening with ten of us.
- When the railroads provided a market for beef, suddenly the six million longhorns running loose in Texas were worth something.
- I didn't bother looking at the instructions -- I didn't think it was worth it.
- It may be worth putting an advertisement in the local paper.
- At the time, it was worth it, because people would come back.
- But it was worth it to keep the wolves from the door.
- But it would all be worth it to see them settled and thriving in their new home.
- Even if animosity worked miracles in bringing about good grades, would it be worth it?
- Making them think the next sunrise would be worth it; that another stroke of time would do it at last.
- So, if my partner ever plans to deceive me, the woman he fancies had better be worth it.
- Somewhere he must have questioned whether it was worth it, somewhere he must have felt enraged at his own losses.
- This one had cost him sixpence, a lot out of his ten shillings a week wages, but it was worth it.
- And it wasn't worth it in the end, I was well miffed.
- At any rate it isn't worth it really.
- In one sense, we are not worth it.
- It isn't worth it, please believe me.
- It just isn't worth it.
- Many training providers pull out because it is not worth it.
- Sitting on the train she had suddenly thought that it was not worth it.
- The whole place isn't worth it.
- The cults in this country aren't worth a damn, we all know that.
- Some publishers feel they haven't been getting their money's worth from the show.
- Just for my own two cents worth, even Martin Luther King said the source of all wealth is labor.
- One hundred thousand copies at two cents a sheet.
- Results in the most recent quarter were two cents below the consensus from analysts surveyed by First Call.
- Walter had already put in his two cents worth.
- We charged a penny for admission and two cents a cup for Kool-Aid.
- Tuesday night's Boston-Chicago game was worth waiting for.
- Something worth having is worth waiting for.
The house must be worth quite a lot of money now. One of the pictures is worth £50,000. Do you know how much the ring is worth? This art collection is worth a fortune (=worth a very large amount of money).be worth nothing/not be worth anything It’s a very old machine so I shouldn’t think it’s worth anything. b)to have money or possessions that have value: I’ve heard that he’s worth over $2 million. The man who founded the company must be worth a fortune. ► Worth is not a verb. Do not say that something ‘worths’ something.2be worth (doing) something a)used to say that something is interesting, useful, or helpful: A lot of the small towns in the area are definitely worth visiting. The film is well worth seeing.worth a trip/visit etc The local museum is worth a visit. b)used to say that someone should do something because they will gain something from itbe worth doing something It’s worth checking the details of the contract before you sign it. It’s well worth getting there early if you want a good seat.be worth the time/effort/work It was a great evening, and definitely worth all the hard work.3be worth it informal used to say that you gain something from an action: It was a lot of hard work, but it was worth it.4be not worth it informal used to say that you do not gain anything from an action: I thought about trying to talk to him about it, but decided it wasn’t worth it.5 be worth somebody’s while (to do/doing something) spoken used to say that someone should spend time or money on something because they will gain something from it: It might be worth your while to talk to the head of department. Some people feel it’s not worth their while working if they can get money from the state.6make it worth somebody’s while spoken to offer something to someone so that they will do something for you: He promised to make it worth our while.7what’s it worth (to you)? spoken used humorously to ask someone how they will reward you if you do something for them8for what it’s worth spoken used when you are giving someone information, to say that you are not sure how useful it is: Here’s the list of names, for what it’s worth.9for all you are/he is etc worth with as much effort as possible: He was pulling the rope for all he was worth.10worth his/her salt doing their job well or deserving respect: Any player worth his salt would love to play for his country.11worth your/its etc weight in gold very useful: In these mountains, an experienced guide is worth his weight in gold.worth1 adjectiveworth2 noun
worthworth2 ●●● W3 noun [uncountable] WORD ORIGINworth2
Origin:
Old English weorthEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- What's the current worth of the company?
- He wins £100 worth of Phoenix 2000 fish food.
- Over 50 people were killed and millions of dollars' worth of carpets and other goods were destroyed.
- Phone hackers made $ 35, 000 worth of calls over the course of several months.
- They require hundreds of millions of dollars worth of new equipment and fiber optic backbone to make them two-way streets.
Longman Language Activatoran amount of something such as money, time, or a substance
: the amount of something · The amount of tax you pay depends on how much you earn.· Try to reduce the amount of fat in your diet.· The amount of calories a person needs each day is determined by the type of work they do.a small/tiny amount · The water here contains small amounts of calcium and other minerals.a large/enormous/considerable amount · He knows an enormous amount about Italian paintings.
use this to ask or talk about the size of an amount of something: · How much did your jeans cost?· I'll get you some paint if you tell me how much you need.how much money/time/food etc: · How much money do I owe you?· Do you realize how much trouble you caused?· How much nitrogen is there in the air?how much of: · You received $50,000. How much of that money is still in your bank account?
use this, especially in written descriptions or instructions, to talk about amounts of food, liquid, or other substances that can be measured: quantity of: · Make sure that you add the correct quantity of water.· Use equal quantities of flour and butter.a large/small/enormous etc quantity: · An enormous quantity of chemical waste has been dumped in the river. in large/small quantities: · Expensive spices, like saffron, are only produced in small quantities.
use this to talk about the total amount of something such as business activity or traffic, especially when it is large or increasing : the volume of trade/sales/traffic/business: · The volume of traffic on our roads has risen by 50% in the past three years.· After 1998, there was a rapid fall in the volume of trade.
use this to talk about the exact amount of something at one time, even though this amount may go up or go down at other times: the level of something: · a device that measures the level of carbon monoxide in the aira high/low level: · The company continues to enjoy a high level of sales.· People who suffer heart attacks tend to have a high level of cholesterol in the blood.
an amount of money: a large/enormous sum: · The apartment cost over $25,000, which was an enormous sum in those days.a sum of money: · She left a small sum of money to her two granddaughters.· A purse containing a small sum of money was found at Guildhall Square on March 20.a lump sum (=an amount of money given in a single payment): · Instead of paying him a regular pension, they gave him a lump sum when he retired.
an amount of something that is worth £100, $10 etc: 100 pounds' worth/ten dollars' worth etc of: · Over £10 million worth of heroin was seized in the raid.· The company owns millions of dollars' worth of real estate in downtown Tokyo.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES It didn’t seem worth bothering the doctor about. I’m not sure it will work but it’s worth a go. treasures of incalculable value All our hard work will be worth it in the long run. He seems to be milking the incident for all it’s worth (=getting as much from it as possible). Floor tiles can be difficult to clean – worth keeping in mind when you choose a new floor. Vernon estimates the company’s net worth at over $8 billion. The hotel was expensive but it was worth every penny.
It didn’t seem worth bothering the doctor about. (=it is too difficult to be worth doing)
(=used to say that something is worth doing even though it is hard)· It’s a difficult place to get to, but it's well worth the effort.
informal:· The building itself is worth a fortune.
I’m not sure it will work but it’s worth a go. (=something is not worth doing because it involves a lot of problems)· I’m not going to argue with him – it’s just not worth the hassle.
treasures of incalculable value All our hard work will be worth it in the long run. (=it is important enough to mention)· It is worth mentioning again that most accidents happen in the home.
He seems to be milking the incident for all it’s worth (=getting as much from it as possible). Floor tiles can be difficult to clean – worth keeping in mind when you choose a new floor. Vernon estimates the company’s net worth at over $8 billion. The hotel was expensive but it was worth every penny.· Don’t walk home alone at night – it’s not worth the risk.
(=be worth trying to do because you may succeed)· It’s worth a try – we’ve nothing to lose.
· Las Palmas, the lively capital, is well worth a visit.
· The book is well worth reading.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· The final main distinction is between flow payments of costs and their capitalization into current net worth.· My net worth dropped to zero.· The net worth of companies, damaged by recession, will take some time to recover.· In 1994, after the killings, his net worth was $ 11 million.· It has net worth of £430 million and net debt of £325 million.· Associates was well-financed, when the firm had a negative net worth.· Liabilities are recorded at book value so that the book value of net worth is zero.· His net worth was recently estimated at more than $ 800 million by Forbes magazine.
· For children, like work, regulate distance in a marriage and provide parents with a role and sense of personal worth.· Things rise and sink according to their personal value and worth.· Considering the ideas of others affirms their personal worth.· Competence and efficiency are closely tied to personal senses of worth and value.· If society generally under-values old age, is it any wonder that old people do not experience a sense of personal worth?· Injunctions are Ingredient X. They are beliefs, buried in people's personal philosophies, about personal worth.· These usually project unpleasant images of older people which subtly undermine their personal value and worth.· Pride in the uniform was real, tangible, and central to the display of personal worth.
· It would be well worth spending money on such a project.· The shares took a bit of a knock due to profit-taking but are well worth holding ahead of major expansions.· The outlay would be well worth while in terms of the publicity featuring all the hotel's celebrity guests.· Inland the wild and vast Presely Hills which dominate the area are well worth exploring.· Many of the ideas before the House are well worth examining.· In addition to their wild natural beauty, the moors contain interesting ancient relics and sites that are well worth investigating.· This game is well worth adding to your leisure library.· It is well worth experimenting with a cheap soft fabric, such as mull.
VERB· Academics estimate the subsidy is worth at least $ 415m-$ 498m a year to the arms industry.· Senate report in 1991 estimated Cheng's net worth at more than $ 30 million.
· Employees must forge their own career paths, seek out promotions and prove their worth every single day.· The onus is now on Untaet and the World Bank to prove their worth.· Surface only scratched and the guide has proved its worth already.· Members of the Diet prove their worth by attending constituents' weddings and sitting through endless meetings with colleagues.· But already it's proved its worth.· There would be other gardens, other chances to prove her worth.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► a bird in the hand (is worth two in the bush)► put in your two cents’ worth► it’s more than my job’s worth► an ounce of prevention (is worth a pound of cure)► not worth the paper it is written on/printed on
- The cults in this country aren't worth a damn, we all know that.
- Some publishers feel they haven't been getting their money's worth from the show.
- Just for my own two cents worth, even Martin Luther King said the source of all wealth is labor.
- One hundred thousand copies at two cents a sheet.
- Results in the most recent quarter were two cents below the consensus from analysts surveyed by First Call.
- Walter had already put in his two cents worth.
- We charged a penny for admission and two cents a cup for Kool-Aid.
- Tuesday night's Boston-Chicago game was worth waiting for.
- Something worth having is worth waiting for.
WORD FAMILYnounworthworthlessnessworthyunworthinessadjectiveworthworthlessworthwhileworthy ≠ unworthy
1ten pounds’ worth/$500 worth etc of something an amount of something worth ten pounds, $500 etc: a chance to win £2,000 worth of computing equipment The fire caused thousands of pounds’ worth of damage.2ten minutes’ worth/a week’s worth etc of something something that takes ten minutes, a week etc to happen, do, or use: We had only three days’ worth of food left.3how good or useful something is or how important it is to people SYN value: The new computer system has already proved its worth.4how much money something is worth SYN value: It is difficult to estimate the current worth of the company.