I. ˈwərthē, ˈwə̄th-, ˈwəith-, -thi adjective
( usually -er/-est )
Etymology: Middle English, from worth (IV) + -y
1.
a. : having worth, value, or importance : good , estimable
has become the worthy custom to hold a benefit performance — R.P.Cooke
the results of moral rules are not always as worthy as the motives for adopting them — W.L.Miller
great and worthy things — H.D.Thoreau
became identified with many worthy causes — A.E.Wier
b. : marked by personal qualities warranting honor, respect, or esteem : honorable , meritorious
the tribunal was composed of worthy men … of eminent respectability and talents — J.L.Motley
the father was a worthy burgher, innkeeper, and brewer — Dora Clark
announcing … that his former wife was not a worthy woman — H.F.Coleru
2.
a. : having sufficient worth, value, or importance : sufficiently good or estimable
performing deeds worthy to be handed down in … legends — C.B.Nordhoff & J.N.Hall
think of something worthy to say — William Saroyan
— often used with of
mere resort to defensive measures is not worthy of the American spirit — New Republic
brings to basketball an intensity worthy of a loftier pursuit — Stanley Frank
a cause worthy of the best endeavors — W.H.Allison
b. : possessing personal qualities of sufficient worth, respect, or esteem : sufficiently honorable or meritorious
no student deemed worthy , and chosen for admission, would be kept out by lack of funds — N.M.Pusey
a worthy successor
a worthy antagonist
every man worthy to be called a man — Thomas De Quincey
— often used with of
worthy of his hire
are worthy of the great faith, the high hopes, we have placed in them — F.D.Roosevelt
you might be … worthier of yourself — Charles Dickens
II. noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English, from worthy (I)
: a person of eminence, distinction, or renown
a great New England worthy — Van Wyck Brooks
keep alive the memory of many worthies — Perry Miller
III. adverb
Etymology: Middle English, from worthy (I)
: worthily
IV. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
Etymology: Middle English worthyen, from worthy (I)
obsolete : to make worthy : exalt , honor