worthless

adjective

worth·​less ˈwərth-ləs 

1

a

: lacking worth : valueless

worthless currency

b

: useless

worthless to continue searching

2

: contemptible, despicable

a worthless criminal

worthlessly adverb

worthlessness noun

Synonyms

• empty
• valueless
• cheap
• flawed
• no-good
• vain

Examples of worthless in a Sentence

The boots may be nice, but they're worthless if they don't fit you.

She's depressed and believes that she's worthless.

Recent Examples on the Web

Greenwashing is controversial, with clubs sometimes hiding behind worthless carbon credits or offsetting emissions to make claims of climate leadership rather than seeking ways to actually reduce their emissions. —Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2025

Anything less than a total social reckoning—a complete psychological makeover of white America—was worthless. —Louis Menand, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2025

If so, the next day those stickers that allow qualified, environment-friendly cars and trucks to go into carpool lanes with only the driver are going to be worthless. —Jim Radcliffe, Oc Register, 8 Aug. 2025

But when jurors mentally disengage, even the strongest legal arguments become worthless. —Lars Daniel, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

worthless

adjective

worth·​less ˈwərth-ləs 

1

a

: lacking worth : valueless

b

: useless

worthless to continue searching

2

: deserving of hatred or pity

a worthless coward

worthlessly adverb

worthlessness noun