Word
worthiness
Phoneticswor·thi·ness, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈwɝðinɪs/
UK/wˈɜːðɪnəs/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. how much someone or something deserves respect, trust, or a reward.
n. deservedness for respect, attention, or reward based on merit, suitability, or moral value.
Examples
“Her hard work proves her worthiness for the award.”
“The committee reviews each applicant's record to judge their worthiness for the scholarship.”
“The novel questions the worthiness of its hero, revealing how public honour often rests on private compromises that history later judges more harshly.”
Examples
simple
“Her hard work proves her worthiness for the award.”
contextual
“The committee reviews each applicant's record to judge their worthiness for the scholarship.”
complex
“The novel questions the worthiness of its hero, revealing how public honour often rests on private compromises that history later judges more harshly.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “worthiness” in context.
Verb
01. demonstrate worthiness
“Applicants must demonstrate worthiness through community service and integrity.”
verb + noun
02. doubt worthiness
“After the scandal, many began to doubt his worthiness to lead the charity.”
verb + noun
03. establish worthiness
“The report helped establish her worthiness for promotion to director.”
verb + noun
04. prove worthiness
“He trained for months to prove his worthiness for the elite team.”
verb + noun
Adjective
05. artistic worthiness
“Critics questioned the artistic worthiness of the controversial installation.”
adj + noun
06. moral worthiness
“The committee debated the candidate's moral worthiness for public office.”
adj + noun
07. personal worthiness
“The award recognized her personal worthiness and years of dedication.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. measure of worthiness
“Service to others is seen as a true measure of worthiness here.”
noun + prep + noun
09. a strong sense of worthiness
“Supportive teachers help students develop a strong sense of worthiness.”
10. demonstrate moral worthiness
“Officials must demonstrate moral worthiness to retain public trust.”
11. prove one's worthiness
“She completed extra training to prove her worthiness for the award.”
12. question a candidate's worthiness
“Journalists began to question the candidate's worthiness after the revelations.”
Etymology
From Middle English worthynesse, equivalent to worthy + -ness.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/worthiness