worthwhile
gb/wˈɚθwˈaɪl/ us/wˈɚθwˈaɪl/
B1
English
~ 5700
érdemes, hasznos, megér, társadalmilag hasznos, értelmes, értékes, szóba jöhető, figyelemre méltó, megfontolásra érdemes
B1
1
Usage pattern:
[activity] is worthwhile / it is worthwhile to [verb]
Learning some basic coding can be very worthwhile in many jobs.
Sok munkakörben nagyon hasznos lehet, ha megtanulunk valamennyit programozni.
It’s not worthwhile driving across town just for a small discount.
Nem éri meg csak egy kis kedvezményért a város másik végébe autózni.
The course was expensive, but it turned out to be worthwhile.
I don’t think it’s worthwhile arguing with him about it again.
Spending an hour planning your week is always worthwhile.
Learner examples
This book is short, but it is very worthwhile.
Ez a könyv rövid, de nagyon megéri elolvasni.
It is worthwhile to save a little money every month.
Érdemes minden hónapban félretenni egy kis pénzt.
The movie was long, but it was worthwhile in the end.
Is it worthwhile to take this class?
The trip was costly, but it was really worthwhile for us.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"more worth"* instead of *"more worthwhile"* (e.g., say *"This course is more worthwhile"*, not *"This course is more worth"*). They also confuse *"worthwhile"* with *"worth"*: use *"worthwhile"* before a noun or after *"be"* (e.g., *"a worthwhile job"*), but use *"worth"* with a noun or verb-ing (e.g., *"It is worth the money"*, *"It is worth doing"*).
Meaning
giving enough benefit for effort
Collocations
worthwhile experience
|worthwhile investment
|worthwhile effort
|it is worthwhile to
|make it worthwhile
|anything worthwhile
Synonyms
worth it (More informal and often spoken; emphasizes personal feeling that the result justifies the effort.)
|
valuable (Can suggest higher importance or monetary value, not only the balance of effort and benefit.)
|
rewarding (Stresses emotional satisfaction or personal growth more than practical benefit.)
Antonyms
pointless (Suggests no real purpose or result, so the effort clearly is not justified.)
|
a waste of time (Informal phrase directly opposing the idea that the time spent is justified.)
Themes
daily life
|work
|education
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Good enough or useful enough to make the time, effort, or money you spend on it feel like it was not wasted.
Giving sufficient benefit, satisfaction, or advantage to justify the time, effort, or cost involved.
B2
2
Usage pattern:
a worthwhile [cause/project/career/goal]
She wants to do something worthwhile with her life, like working in public health.
Valami társadalmilag hasznosat szeretne kezdeni az életével, például a közegészségügyben dolgozni.
Volunteering at the shelter felt like a really worthwhile use of my time.
Úgy éreztem, hogy a menhelyen végzett önkéntes munkával igazán értelmesen töltöm az időmet.
They only donate to charities they believe are truly worthwhile causes.
Many people look for a worthwhile career rather than just a high salary.
The program supports worthwhile projects that improve local communities.
Learner examples
He is looking for a worthwhile job that helps people.
Olyan értelmes munkát keres, amellyel segíthet az embereknek.
Donating to this group is a worthwhile thing to do.
Ennek a csoportnak adományozni értékes dolog.
She feels her work is not worthwhile, because it does not change anything.
The city gives money only to worthwhile projects.
I want to spend my time on something worthwhile for society.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *"worthwhile"* here for things that are only fun or entertaining, where *"fun"* or *"enjoyable"* would be better. In this sense, *"worthwhile"* usually implies some positive impact or importance, not just pleasure.
Meaning
socially or morally valuable
Collocations
worthwhile cause
|worthwhile project
|worthwhile career
|worthwhile goal
|socially worthwhile
|worthwhile charity
Synonyms
meaningful (Emphasizes emotional or moral significance rather than practical results.)
|
worthy (Slightly more formal; stresses moral approval and deserving respect or support.)
|
commendable (Formal; focuses on something being praiseworthy for its moral or social value.)
Antonyms
trivial (Suggests something is small or unimportant, lacking real social or moral weight.)
|
selfish (Opposes the idea of helping others or society, focusing only on personal gain.)
Themes
society
|work
|values
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Good and important in a way that helps people or makes the world better, so it deserves time, money, or support.
Important, useful, or morally valuable, especially because it helps other people or contributes positively to society.
B2
3
Usage pattern:
a worthwhile [candidate/option/partner]
We have several worthwhile candidates for the position.
Több szóba jöhető jelöltünk is van az állásra.
There were only two worthwhile options on the list.
A listán csak két szóba jöhető lehetőség volt.
I don’t think this is a worthwhile partner for our company.
After reviewing the proposals, they found nothing truly worthwhile.
It took a while, but we finally found a worthwhile alternative.
Learner examples
She is a very worthwhile candidate for the job.
Nagyon is szóba jöhető jelölt az állásra.
This is the only worthwhile option for us.
Számunkra ez az egyetlen szóba jöhető lehetőség.
They did not see any worthwhile person to promote.
After many interviews, we chose the most worthwhile applicant.
Is this plan really a worthwhile choice?
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes overuse this sense with people in casual contexts (*"He is a worthwhile friend"* sounds odd). In everyday speech, it is more common with roles or choices like *"candidate"*, *"option"*, or *"partner"* in a business or project context.
Meaning
deserving attention or consideration
Collocations
worthwhile candidate
|worthwhile option
|worthwhile partner
|worthwhile choice
Synonyms
promising (Suggests strong future potential rather than current proven value.)
|
deserving (Focuses on being worthy of support or attention for moral or qualitative reasons.)
Antonyms
unimpressive (Indicates lacking qualities that would make attention or support feel justified.)
|
not worth considering (Directly denies that the person or thing deserves attention or evaluation.)
Themes
work
|relationships
|decision-making
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Good enough or strong enough in quality that it should be considered or supported.
Having enough good qualities, potential, or value to deserve someone’s attention, support, or consideration.
Grammar
Dictionary form
worthwhile
IPA
GB/wˈɚθwˈaɪl/
US/wˈɚθwˈaɪl/
Syllables & stress
worth - while (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (worth)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: worthwhile
Word family
Expressions
it is worthwhile to
1/ˈɪt ˈɪz wˈɚθwˈaɪl tə/
fixed phrase
saying an activity deserves effort
Used before a verb to say that doing that action is a good use of time, effort, or money.
Examples
- It is worthwhile to check your work twice before sending it.
- In winter, it is worthwhile to wear layers to stay warm.
- It is worthwhile to learn some basic cooking skills.
make it worthwhile
1/mˈeɪk ˈɪt wˈɚθwˈaɪl/
fixed phrase
give enough benefit to justify
To give enough benefit, pleasure, or value so that the effort, time, or money spent feels justified.
Examples
- If they cover your travel costs, that will make it worthwhile.
- The chance to meet new clients made the long trip worthwhile.
- He promised a bonus to make it worthwhile for the team.
nothing worthwhile
1/nˈʌθɪŋ wˈɚθwˈaɪl/
fixed phrase
no option that is worth effort
Used to say that there is no thing, activity, or option that is good enough to deserve time or effort.
Examples
- There was nothing worthwhile on TV last night.
- After searching for an hour, we still found nothing worthwhile to buy.
- He left the party early because there was nothing worthwhile to do.
worthwhile cause
1/wˈɚθwˈaɪl kˈɔz/
fixed phrase
socially valuable cause or project
A goal, project, or charity that helps people or society in an important way, so it deserves support.
Examples
- They raised money for a very worthwhile cause.
- She only volunteers when she believes it is for a worthwhile cause.
- The concert supported a worthwhile cause: free meals for children.
worthwhile experience
1/wˈɚθwˈaɪl ɪkspˈɪɹiəns/
fixed phrase
beneficial or valuable experience
An experience that teaches you something, helps you grow, or gives enough value for the time or effort.
Examples
- Working abroad was a really worthwhile experience for her career.
- The workshop was a worthwhile experience, even though it was only one day.
- Volunteering there was the most worthwhile experience of his year.
worthwhile investment
1/wˈɚθwˈaɪl ɪnvˈɛstmənt/
fixed phrase
investment with good expected return
Money, time, or effort put into something that is likely to give good results or profit in the future.
Examples
- Training your staff is a worthwhile investment in the long term.
- They weren’t sure if the new software would be a worthwhile investment.
- For many families, college is still seen as a worthwhile investment.