What does worthless mean?
Worthless is an adjective describing something that has no value, usefulness, or importance. It is commonly applied to objects, arguments, efforts, excuses, and prizes, as in a worthless prize or a seemingly worthless suggestion. The word can also describe a person or conduct in a contemptuous sense, meaning that the person or conduct deserves dismissal or ridicule. In everyday use, worthless is stronger and more blunt than terms such as of little value, although it can sound more informal than valueless in some contexts. Its meaning can vary with what is being judged: a thing may be worthless practically, while a proposal may be worthless because it is pointless or based on no useful idea. The word is especially effective when the intended conclusion is absolute: it leaves little room for the possibility that something has hidden utility or significance.
adjectiveHaving no value, usefulness, or importance. In some contexts, describing a person or their conduct, it means deserving contempt or dismissal.
- Having no value, usefulness, or practical importance.
- Not worth doing or considering; pointless.
- Deserving contempt or dismissal, especially when describing a person or their conduct.
"The old newspaper was practically worthless once the information it contained had become outdated."
"The damaged parcel contained a worthless imitation of the original artifact."
"He dismissed the suggestion as worthless, arguing that it offered no realistic solution."
Worthless delivers a blunt double verdict: it says a thing has no worth—and no amount of sentiment can add any.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of worthless
Worthless is a modern compound formed from worth and the suffix -less. The word worth comes from Old English weorþ, while -less comes from Old English lēas, meaning “without” or “lacking.” The form developed from the older sense of lacking worth or value. Words such as worship and weal are related to the same Old English root as worth, while least belongs to the cognate Germanic family represented by less and the suffix -less.
Related word forms
How worthless is actually used
The adjective is common in both formal and informal writing. It can sound strongly dismissive, especially when applied to a person's behavior or character, while its use for objects often simply means that those objects have little or no practical value. There are no major regional differences.
Easily confused with worthless
Worthwhile means worth doing or valuable enough to justify the effort, whereas worthless means having no value or usefulness.