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WORTHY
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
Irregular inflected forms: worthier , worthiest
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
An important, honorable person (word is often used humorously)
Example:
local worthies rarely challenged the chief constable
Classified under:
Hypernyms ("worthy" is a kind of...):
important person; influential person; personage (a person whose actions and opinions strongly influence the course of events)
Derivation:
worthy (having worth or merit or value; being honorable or admirable)
II. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Worthy of being chosen especially as a spouse
Example:
the parents found the girl suitable for their son
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Similar:
eligible (qualified for or allowed or worthy of being chosen)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Having qualities or abilities that merit recognition in some way
Example:
a fact worthy of attention
Classified under:
Similar:
fit (meeting adequate standards for a purpose)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Having worth or merit or value; being honorable or admirable
Example:
a worthy cause
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
worthwhile (sufficiently valuable to justify the investment of time or interest)
valuable; worthful (having worth or merit or value)
precious; valued (held in great esteem for admirable qualities especially of an intrinsic nature)
summa cum laude (with highest honor; with the highest academic distinction)
sacred (worthy of respect or dedication)
quotable (suitable for or worthy of quotation)
meritable; meritorious (deserving reward or praise)
magna cum laude (with high honor; with high academic distinction)
exemplary; model (worthy of imitation)
deserving; worth ((often used ironically) worthy of being treated in a particular way)
cum laude (with honor; with academic distinction)
creditable (worthy of often limited commendation)
applaudable; commendable; laudable; praiseworthy (worthy of high praise)
Also:
valuable (having great material or monetary value especially for use or exchange)
righteous (characterized by or proceeding from accepted standards of morality or justice)
honorable; honourable (worthy of being honored; entitled to honor and respect)
good (morally admirable)
estimable (deserving of respect or high regard)
Attribute:
worthiness (the quality or state of having merit or value)
Antonym:
unworthy (lacking in value or merit)
Derivation:
worth (the quality that renders something desirable or valuable or useful)
worthiness (the quality or state of having merit or value)
worthy (an important, honorable person (word is often used humorously))
Context examples:
She is staying here on a visit to her grandmama and aunt, very worthy people; I have known them all my life.
(Emma, by Jane Austen)
But his coming for me as he did, with such active, such ready friendship, is enough to prove him one of the worthiest of men.
(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)
But Wolf Larsen ignored that worthy, turning at once to the cabin-boy.
(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)
Mr. Holmes, if ever you put forward your full powers, I implore you to do so now, for never in your life could you have a case which is more worthy of them.
(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
Hark ye! said he, my worthy friend, you seem a good sort of fellow, so I can’t help doing you a kind turn.
(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)
“Victor, you will acknowledge that you have used this worthy fellow rather roughly,” said the dad, turning to me.
(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
I came in by train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me here.
(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
Or who, that ever was truly called, believed himself worthy of the summons?
(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)
A scheme, worthy of Mrs Wallis's understanding, by all accounts; but my sensible nurse Rooke sees the absurdity of it.
(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)
You showed me how insufficient were all my pretensions to please a woman worthy of being pleased.
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
