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

Bottom Line With new and other like-minded U.S. music festivals being announced left and right, Lollapalooza’s 2025 lineup looks to cement itself as one of the most worthwhile and premium multi-day festivals there is. —Quentin Thane Singer, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025

Ahead, 21 worthwhile locales to add to your bucket list. —Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 20 Mar. 2025

It could have been discarded as a worthwhile punt that just did not work out, but the scrutiny on the transfer increased when Kai Havertz sustained a season-ending hamstring tear in February. —Jordan Campbell, The Athletic, 16 Mar. 2025

But with such specific details captured, the doc also opens up ideas around restorative justice, when the rigidity of how the law is applied feels unlikely to achieve anything worthwhile. —Stephen Saito, Variety, 16 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1662, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for worthwhile

• argyle
• awhile
• beguile
• compile
• condyle
• defile
• erstwhile
• exile
• freestyle
• gentile
• hairstyle
• lifestyle

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