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

While this is a worthwhile investment for emergency room doctors deciding whether to admit a sick infant or send them home, such costs are often prohibitive for ordinary physicians. —David Cox, WIRED, 7 Jan. 2025

However, this very status quo might make taking the risk worthwhile, as a favorable ruling could reintroduce flexibility to presidential authority under the OCSLA. —James Broughel, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025

But the state, which became the United States’ 49th on this day in 1959, wasn’t always considered a worthwhile investment. —Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Jan. 2025

Any member of this combination is a worthwhile add. —Shayna Goldman, The Athletic, 3 Jan. 2025

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