What does worthful mean?
Worthful is an uncommon adjective meaning worthy of respect, admiration, consideration, or practical value. It can characterize a person, deed, achievement, object, or activity, often with the implication that the person or thing has genuine merit rather than merely superficial appeal. For example, someone might call a volunteer effort worthful or describe a career as worthful because it contributes meaningfully to other people. The word belongs chiefly to formal, literary, and somewhat old-fashioned English, and many speakers will reach for worthy, valuable, or worthwhile instead. Although its meaning overlaps with those terms, worthful tends to emphasize deservedness and moral or practical value. It is also sometimes used with of, as in worthy of notice or worthy of praise, in which case it closely resembles worthy. Worthful remains useful when an author wants an elevated or traditional tone.
adjectiveHaving worth or value; deserving of respect, admiration, or consideration. It can also mean worthy of a particular purpose or outcome.
- Having worth or value; worthy of respect, admiration, consideration, or a particular purpose.
"The volunteers made a worthful contribution to the restoration of the historic building."
"The volunteers made a worthful contribution to the restoration of the historic building."
"She regarded teaching as a worthful and rewarding career."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of worthful
Worthful is an English formation combining worth with the suffix -ful. The word worth descends from Old English weorþ, while -ful is a productive English suffix expressing fullness or the possession of a quality; related formations include worthy, worthwhile, and worthlessness.
Related word forms
How worthful is actually used
Worthful is uncommon in modern English and often sounds literary, old-fashioned, or regional. In most contemporary contexts, worthy or worthwhile is more natural.
Easily confused with worthful
Worthful means worthy of respect, value, or consideration, whereas worthwhile means worth the time, effort, or expense involved.