worthless

/ˈwɜːθləs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈwɜːrθləs/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈwərth-ləs/ (ame, mw)

worthless — adjective

  • worthlesspositive
  • more worthlesscomparative
  • most worthlesssuperlative

1. not worth any money at all; so old, broken, or fake that nobody would pay for it

1.形容詞B1
釋義

not worth any money at all; so old, broken, or fake that nobody would pay for it

例句

The old vase on the shelf turned out to be a worthless copy.

attributive use: worthless + noun

When the stock market collapsed, Indra's shares became completely worthless.

collocation: completely worthless

同義詞
  • valueless

    more formal; often used for abstract assets (a valueless contract) rather than physical objects

  • cheap

    less formal; can mean low quality rather than no monetary value (cheap jewellery is not necessarily worthless)

反義詞
  • valuable

    having high monetary worth

  • precious

    so valuable that it is rare and treasured

文法句型

be + worthless

worthless + noun

用法筆記

Often used in financial contexts — for currency, property, investments, or items being sold. The strong form 'completely worthless' or 'utterly worthless' is common when emphasising that something has no value at all.

常見錯誤

❌The old coins were invaluable.
✅The old coins were worthless.
💡'invaluable' means extremely valuable, not 'not valuable.'
❌They found a priceless fake painting.
✅They found a worthless fake painting.
💡'priceless' means so valuable it cannot be priced; 'worthless' means having no value.

2. so poor in quality or result that you get no benefit from it; not worth your tim

2.形容詞B2
釋義

so poor in quality or result that you get no benefit from it; not worth your time or attention

例句

Selim spent hours on a worthless computer program that never worked.

worthless + noun + that-clause

The information in that old guidebook is now worthless for planning your trip.

worthless + for + [purpose]

同義詞
  • useless

    more common in everyday speech; milder and more versatile than 'worthless'

  • pointless

    suggests an activity has no purpose or goal rather than no quality

  • futile

    more formal; suggests that effort cannot succeed regardless of quality

反義詞
  • useful

    having a good effect or practical purpose

  • valuable

    useful, important, or helpful

文法句型

be + worthless

worthless + for + noun/-ing

prove + worthless

用法筆記

Commonly used to describe information, advice, efforts, or tools that produce no useful result. The pattern 'prove worthless' is typical in formal or written English for describing outcomes after effort has been made.

常見錯誤

❌I felt worthless after failing the test.
✅I felt useless after failing the test.
💡When applied to a person's temporary feelings, 'useless' is milder. 'Worthless' about a person often implies a harsher moral judgment (see sense 3).
❌This computer is worthless for gaming.
✅This computer is not good for gaming.
💡'Worthless' means no value at all; a computer that can still do basic tasks is not truly worthless.
❌The meeting was worthless so I stayed the whole time.
✅The meeting was worthless so I left early.
💡If something is truly worthless, staying makes no sense.

3. having such bad moral character that other people feel disgust or strong disappr

3.形容詞C1
釋義

having such bad moral character that other people feel disgust or strong disapproval towards you; completely lacking in decency or honesty

例句

Salma called the scam a worthless attempt to steal from elderly people.

attributive use with an action: worthless attempt

The villagers called the spy a worthless man who had sold secrets to the enemy.

worthless + noun + who-clause describing bad character

同義詞
  • despicable

    similar in strength; focuses on actions that deserve hatred

  • contemptible

    slightly more formal; describes someone deserving of scorn

  • vile

    stronger emotional charge; suggests extreme wickedness or disgustingness

反義詞

文法句型

be + worthless

worthless + noun (person or action)

用法筆記

Strongly negative — describes a person's character or actions, not their usefulness. Using 'worthless' for a person (sense 3) is much harsher than using 'useless' (sense 2) and implies moral failure rather than lack of skill.

常見錯誤

❌He is a worthless friend because he is always late.
✅He is an unreliable friend because he is always late.
💡Being late is a small flaw; 'worthless' (sense 3) implies serious moral badness such as dishonesty or betrayal.
❌My old car is worthless — it keeps breaking down.
✅My old car is useless
💡it keeps breaking down.' — A broken car has a practical flaw, not a moral one. Reserve sense 3 for people and their intentional actions.