worthless
gb/wˈɚθləs/ us/wˈɚθləs/
B2
English
~ 6400
haszontalan, használhatatlan, hiábavaló, értéktelen, semmirekellő, hitvány, semmit sem ér
B2
1
Usage pattern:
worthless [thing/idea/advice]
Most of the old data turned out to be completely worthless for the new project.
A régi adatok nagy része teljesen használhatatlannak bizonyult az új projekthez.
He realized that arguing with them was a worthless waste of energy.
Rájött, hogy a velük való vitatkozás teljesen hiábavaló energiapazarlás.
Without proper follow-up, these promises are basically worthless.
Learner examples
This map is worthless because the streets have changed.
Ez a térkép használhatatlan, mert megváltoztak az utcák.
That website is worthless; it does not give any new information.
Az a weboldal haszontalan; nem ad semmilyen új információt.
My old phone is so slow that it feels worthless now.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "worthless" with "priceless". "Worthless" means something has no value or use, while "priceless" means something is extremely valuable, often in a non-money way (for example, "priceless memories").
Meaning
having no use or importance
Collocations
worthless advice
|worthless degree
|practically worthless
|completely worthless
|almost worthless
|utterly worthless
Synonyms
useless (Very close in meaning; focuses strongly on lack of practical use.)
|
pointless (Emphasizes lack of purpose or result more than physical use.)
|
valueless (Slightly more formal; can sound a bit technical or financial.)
Antonyms
useful (Direct opposite in terms of practical effect or help.)
|
valuable (Opposite in both importance and often monetary or emotional value.)
Themes
evaluation
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|work
Definition
Not useful in any way; not helping to reach a goal or solve a problem.
Having no practical use, benefit, or importance; not achieving any useful result.
B2
2
értéktelen
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone] feels worthless
After losing his job, he started to feel completely worthless.
Miután elvesztette az állását, teljesen értéktelennek kezdte érezni magát.
No child should grow up thinking they are worthless.
Egyetlen gyereknek sem szabadna úgy felnőnie, hogy értéktelennek gondolja magát.
Her partner's constant criticism left her feeling small and worthless.
Learner examples
When I fail a test, I sometimes feel worthless.
Amikor megbukom egy vizsgán, néha értéktelennek érzem magam.
The teacher tried to help the boy, who felt worthless and alone.
A tanár megpróbált segíteni a fiún, aki értéktelennek és magányosnak érezte magát.
Good friends do not make you feel worthless.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "worthless" when they mean "broke" or "poor". "Worthless" in this sense is about self-esteem and personal value, not about how much money someone has. Also, "I am a worthless" is incorrect; say "I am worthless" or "I feel worthless" instead.
Meaning
feeling you have no value
Collocations
feel worthless
|completely worthless
|useless and worthless
|depressed and worthless
|make [someone] feel worthless
|worthless as a person
Synonyms
inferior (Focuses on feeling lower than others, not always totally without value.)
|
unworthy (Often used about feeling not deserving of love, help, or success.)
|
valueless (Can be used about self-feeling, but sounds more abstract or formal than "worthless".)
Antonyms
worthy (Stresses deserving respect, love, or good things in life.)
|
valuable (Highlights a positive sense of importance and personal value.)
Themes
emotions
|mental health
|health
Definition
Feeling that you are not good, important, or useful as a person.
Feeling or believing that one has no value, importance, or good qualities as a person.
C1
INFORMAL
3
semmirekellő
C1
hitvány
C1
Usage pattern:
a worthless [person/role]
She called him a worthless husband after he walked out on the family.
Semmirekellő férjnek nevezte a férfit, miután az elhagyta a családját.
The judge described the gang leader as a cruel and worthless individual.
A bíró kegyetlen, hitvány alaknak nevezte a banda vezetőjét.
He spent years trying to prove to his father that he was not the worthless son he had been called.
Learner examples
His father shouted that he was a worthless son.
Az apja azt üvöltötte vele, hogy semmirekellő fiú.
They think he is a worthless man because he never helps his family.
Úgy gondolják, semmirekellő ember, mert soha nem segít a családjának.
Do not call people worthless; it is very hurtful.
Common mistake:
Learners may use "worthless" about people in formal writing where it sounds too emotional or rude. In formal contexts, it is better to describe specific behavior (for example, "irresponsible", "unreliable") instead of calling a person "worthless".
Meaning
morally or socially contemptible
Collocations
a worthless husband
|a worthless father
|lazy and worthless
|a worthless excuse for a man
|totally worthless
|call [someone] worthless
Synonyms
good-for-nothing (Very close in meaning and tone; strongly negative and informal.)
|
no-good (Informal and strongly critical; often used in speech.)
|
useless (Can be similarly insulting, but may sound slightly less moral and more about ability.)
Antonyms
decent (Focuses on acceptable moral and social behavior, the opposite of being contemptible.)
|
reliable (Opposite in terms of doing one’s duties and being depended on.)
Themes
character
|insults
|emotions
|relationships
Definition
Used as an insult for a person who is seen as very bad, lazy, or not doing what they should do.
Used about a person to express strong disapproval, suggesting they have no good qualities and deserve little or no respect.
C1
4
értéktelen
B2
Usage pattern:
worthless [asset/currency/investment]
When the company collapsed, their shares suddenly became worthless.
Amikor a vállalat összeomlott, a részvényeik hirtelen értéktelenné váltak.
Tourists were warned that the old notes would be worthless after the currency change.
A turistákat figyelmeztették, hogy a régi bankjegyek a pénzcsere után értéktelenek lesznek.
Most of the antiques turned out to be modern copies and were practically worthless.
Learner examples
My old coins are worthless; the shop will not buy them.
A régi érméim értéktelenek; a bolt nem veszi meg őket.
After the crash, his stock was almost worthless.
A piaci összeomlás után a részvényei szinte semmit sem értek.
The money from that country is now worthless outside its borders.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "worthless" when they only mean "cheap" or "low value". "Worthless" suggests zero or almost zero value, not just a low price. If something is still worth some money, words like "low-value" or "not very valuable" are more accurate.
Meaning
having no financial value
Collocations
worthless currency
|worthless shares
|worthless stock
|become worthless overnight
|almost worthless on the market
|financially worthless
Synonyms
valueless (Very close in this financial sense; slightly more formal or technical.)
|
unsaleable (Focuses on the fact that something cannot be sold, which often implies it is worthless.)
Antonyms
valuable (Opposite in terms of high price or worth on the market.)
|
profitable (Opposite in the sense of bringing financial gain or return.)
Themes
money
|business
|finance
Definition
Not worth money; nobody will pay anything for it.
Having no monetary value or market worth; not worth any money if sold.
Grammar
Dictionary form
worthless
IPA
GB/wˈɚθləs/
US/wˈɚθləs/
Syllables & stress
worth - less (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (worth)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: worthless
Word family
Core family
Related words
worthlessness
noun
Negative and opposite forms
unworthy
adjective B2
Advanced or less common
worthiness
noun
worthily
adverb
Expressions
as good as worthless
1/ˈæz ɡˈʊd ˈæz wˈɚθləs/
fixed phrase
almost completely without value
Almost useless or without value; not exactly zero, but very close.
Examples
- Without the password, this hard drive is as good as worthless.
- The guarantee is so limited that it’s as good as worthless.
feel worthless
1/fˈil wˈɚθləs/
fixed phrase
have no sense of self-worth
To think that you are not a good or important person.
Examples
- After the breakup, he began to feel worthless and stayed in bed all day.
- Many people feel worthless when they compare themselves to others on social media.
make someone feel worthless
1/mˈeɪk sˈʌmwˌʌn fˈil wˈɚθləs/
fixed phrase
cause someone to feel no value
To speak or act in a way that makes another person think they are not good or important.
Examples
- Her boss constantly criticized her work and made her feel worthless.
- Parents should be careful not to make their children feel worthless when they make mistakes.