worthless
gb/wˈɚθləs/ us/wˈɚθləs/
B2
Inglês
~ 6400
Aceções
0 aceções
adjective
B2
property
1
having no use or importance
Not useful in any way; not helping to reach a goal or solve a problem.
Padrão de uso:
worthless [thing/idea/advice]
Erro comum:
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").
Sinónimos
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.)
Antónimos
useful (Direct opposite in terms of practical effect or help.)
|
valuable (Opposite in both importance and often monetary or emotional value.)
Colocações
worthless advice
|worthless degree
|practically worthless
|completely worthless
|almost worthless
|utterly worthless
Temas
evaluation
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|work
Exemplos
- Most of the old data turned out to be completely worthless for the new project.
- He realized that arguing with them was a worthless waste of energy.
- Without proper follow-up, these promises are basically worthless.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- This map is worthless because the streets have changed.
- That website is worthless; it does not give any new information.
- My old phone is so slow that it feels worthless now.
adjective
B2
property
2
feeling you have no value
Feeling that you are not good, important, or useful as a person.
Padrão de uso:
[someone] feels worthless
Erro comum:
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.
Sinónimos
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".)
Antónimos
worthy (Stresses deserving respect, love, or good things in life.)
|
valuable (Highlights a positive sense of importance and personal value.)
Colocações
feel worthless
|completely worthless
|useless and worthless
|depressed and worthless
|make [someone] feel worthless
|worthless as a person
Temas
emotions
|mental health
|health
Exemplos
- After losing his job, he started to feel completely worthless.
- No child should grow up thinking they are worthless.
- Her partner's constant criticism left her feeling small and worthless.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- When I fail a test, I sometimes feel worthless.
- The teacher tried to help the boy, who felt worthless and alone.
- Good friends do not make you feel worthless.
adjective
informal
C1
property
3
morally or socially contemptible
Used as an insult for a person who is seen as very bad, lazy, or not doing what they should do.
Padrão de uso:
a worthless [person/role]
Erro comum:
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".
Sinónimos
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.)
Antónimos
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.)
Colocações
a worthless husband
|a worthless father
|lazy and worthless
|a worthless excuse for a man
|totally worthless
|call [someone] worthless
Temas
character
|insults
|emotions
|relationships
Exemplos
- She called him a worthless husband after he walked out on the family.
- The judge described the gang leader as a cruel and worthless individual.
- He spent years trying to prove to his father that he was not the worthless son he had been called.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- His father shouted that he was a worthless son.
- They think he is a worthless man because he never helps his family.
- Do not call people worthless; it is very hurtful.
adjective
C1
property
4
having no financial value
Not worth money; nobody will pay anything for it.
Padrão de uso:
worthless [asset/currency/investment]
Erro comum:
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.
Sinónimos
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.)
Antónimos
valuable (Opposite in terms of high price or worth on the market.)
|
profitable (Opposite in the sense of bringing financial gain or return.)
Colocações
worthless currency
|worthless shares
|worthless stock
|become worthless overnight
|almost worthless on the market
|financially worthless
Temas
money
|business
|finance
Exemplos
- When the company collapsed, their shares suddenly became worthless.
- Tourists were warned that the old notes would be worthless after the currency change.
- Most of the antiques turned out to be modern copies and were practically worthless.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- My old coins are worthless; the shop will not buy them.
- After the crash, his stock was almost worthless.
- The money from that country is now worthless outside its borders.
Gramática
Forma de dicionário
worthless
IPA
GB/wˈɚθləs/
US/wˈɚθləs/
Sílabas e acento
worth - less (2 sílabas)
Stress on 1st syllable (worth)
Formas da palavra
Adjective
- Base: worthless
Família de palavras
Core family
Related words
worthlessness
noun
Negative and opposite forms
unworthy
adjective B2
Advanced or less common
worthiness
noun
worthily
adverb
Expressões
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.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- 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.