worthwhile
gb/wˈɚθwˈaɪl/ us/wˈɚθwˈaɪl/
B1
English
~ 5700
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
giving enough benefit for effort
Good enough or useful enough to make the time, effort, or money you spend on it feel like it was not wasted.
Usage pattern:
[activity] is worthwhile / it is worthwhile to [verb]
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"*).
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.)
Collocations
worthwhile experience
|worthwhile investment
|worthwhile effort
|it is worthwhile to
|make it worthwhile
|anything worthwhile
Themes
daily life
|work
|education
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Learning some basic coding can be very worthwhile in many jobs.
- It’s not worthwhile driving across town just for a small discount.
- 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.
- It is worthwhile to save a little money every month.
- 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.
adjective
B2
property
2
socially or morally valuable
Good and important in a way that helps people or makes the world better, so it deserves time, money, or support.
Usage pattern:
a worthwhile [cause/project/career/goal]
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.
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.)
Collocations
worthwhile cause
|worthwhile project
|worthwhile career
|worthwhile goal
|socially worthwhile
|worthwhile charity
Themes
society
|work
|values
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She wants to do something worthwhile with her life, like working in public health.
- Volunteering at the shelter felt like a really worthwhile use of my time.
- 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.
- Donating to this group is a worthwhile thing to do.
- 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.
adjective
B2
property
3
deserving attention or consideration
Good enough or strong enough in quality that it should be considered or supported.
Usage pattern:
a worthwhile [candidate/option/partner]
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.
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.)
Collocations
worthwhile candidate
|worthwhile option
|worthwhile partner
|worthwhile choice
Themes
work
|relationships
|decision-making
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- We have several worthwhile candidates for the position.
- There were only two worthwhile options on the list.
- 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.
- This is the only worthwhile option for us.
- 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?
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.