/ wɜːθ; NAmE wɜːrθ/ adjective , noun
■ adjective [ not before noun ] (used like a preposition, followed by a noun, pronoun or number, or by the -ing form of a verb)
1.
having a value in money, etc. :
Our house is worth about £100 000.
How much is this painting worth?
to be worth a bomb / packet / fortune (= a lot of money)
It isn't worth much.
If you answer this question correctly, it's worth five points.
➡ note at price
2.
worth sth / doing sth used to recommend the action mentioned because you think it may be useful, enjoyable, etc. :
The museum is certainly worth a visit.
This idea is well worth considering.
It's worth making an appointment before you go.
3.
worth sth / doing sth important, good or enjoyable enough to make sb feel satisfied, especially when difficulty or effort is involved :
Was it worth the effort?
The new house really wasn't worth all the expense involved.
The job involves a lot of hard work but it's worth it .
The trip was expensive but it was worth every penny .
—see also worthwhile
4.
( of a person ) having money and possessions of a particular value :
He's worth £10 million.
•
IDIOMS
- for all sb / it is worth
- for what it's worth
- (the game is) not worth the candle
- not worth the paper it's written / printed on
- worth your / its salt
- worth your / its weight in gold
- worth sb's while
—more at bird , job
■ noun [ U ]
1.
ten dollars', £40, etc. ~ of sth an amount of sth that has the value mentioned :
The winner will receive ten pounds' worth of books.
a dollar's worth of change
2.
a week's, month's, etc. ~ of sth an amount of sth that lasts a week, etc.
3.
the financial, practical or moral value of sb/sth :
Their contribution was of great worth.
The activities help children to develop a sense of their own worth.
A good interview enables candidates to prove their worth (= show how good they are) .
a personal net worth of $10 million
•
IDIOMS
see cent noun , money
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English w(e)orth (adjective and noun), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch waard and German wert .