worthwhile

adjective

worth·​while ˈwərth-ˈ(h)wī(-ə)l 

1

: being worth the time or effort spent

worthwhile preparations

2

: worthy sense 1

a worthwhile cause

worthwhileness noun

Examples of worthwhile in a Sentence

The money is for a worthwhile cause.

Seeing my children's joy made building the tree house all worthwhile.

Is it worthwhile to try to fix my computer?

Recent Examples on the Web

That strategy is usually worthwhile in the short-term but detrimental to a brand over time and typical of how brands lose their way. —Richard Kestenbaum, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024

And the reactions from her kids make all the effort worthwhile. —Jordan Greene, People.com, 20 Dec. 2024

The point is, any team that trades for Wilson is going to have to surrender valuable assets to the Jets and then open up their wallet in a big way to make doing the deal worthwhile. —Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024

These discontented countries are among those Washington needs on its side in order to effectively diversify global supply chains, as the economics of new investment only work if there is sufficient demand in critical industries to make the necessary outlays worthwhile. —Daniel H. Rosen, Foreign Affairs, 17 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1662, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

worthwhile

adjective

worth·​while ˈwərth-ˈhwī(ə)l 

-ˈwī(ə)l

1

: being worth the time or effort spent

worthwhile preparations

2

: worthy sense 1a