6 N‑UNCOUNT [usu with poss] Someone's worth is the value, usefulness, or importance that they are considered to have. [FORMAL ] □ He had never had a woman of her worth as a friend.
7 PHRASE If you do something for all you are worth , you do it with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. □ We both began waving to the crowd for all we were worth. □ Push for all you're worth!
8 PHRASE If you add for what it's worth to something that you say, you are suggesting that what you are saying or referring to may not be very valuable or helpful, especially because you do not want to appear arrogant. □ I've brought my notes, for what it's worth.
9 PHRASE If an action or activity is worth someone's while , it will be helpful, useful, or enjoyable for them if they do it, even though it requires some effort. □ It might be worth your while to go to court and ask for the agreement to be changed.
10 worth your weight in gold → see weight
worth|less /wɜː r θləs/
1 ADJ Something that is worthless is of no real value or use. □ The guarantee could be worthless if the firm goes out of business. □ Training is worthless unless there is proof that it works. □ …a worthless piece of old junk.
2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] Someone who is described as worthless is considered to have no good qualities or skills. □ You feel you really are completely worthless and unlovable.
worth|while /wɜː r θ h wa I l/ ADJ If something is worthwhile , it is enjoyable or useful, and worth the time, money, or effort that is spent on it. □ The President's trip to Washington this week seems to have been worthwhile. □ It might be worthwhile to consider your attitude to an insurance policy.
wor|thy /wɜː r ði/ (worthier , worthiest )
1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If a person or thing is worthy of something, they deserve it because they have the qualities or abilities required. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] The bank might think you're worthy of a loan. □ [+ of ] The Minister says the idea is worthy of consideration.
2 ADJ A worthy person or thing is approved of by most people in society and considered to be morally respectable or correct. [FORMAL ] □ …worthy members of the community.
-worthy /-wɜː r ði/
1 COMB -worthy can be added to words to form adjectives which indicate that someone or something deserves a particular thing or action. For example, if a remark or person is quote-worthy , they are worth quoting. □ …a few newsworthy events. □ You may see yourself as useless, incompetent and blameworthy.
2 → see also airworthy , creditworthy , newsworthy , noteworthy , praiseworthy , seaworthy , trustworthy
wot Wot is sometimes used in writing to represent what , to show that someone is speaking very informally or that they are being humorous. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ 'Cor, wot brilliant prizes!'
would ◆◆◆ /wəd, STRONG wʊd/ Would is a modal verb. It is used with the base form of a verb. In spoken English, would is often abbreviated to 'd . 1 MODAL You use would when you are saying what someone believed, hoped, or expected to happen or be the case. □ No one believed he would actually kill himself. □ Would he always be like this? □ He expressed the hope that on Monday elementary schools would be reopened. □ A report yesterday that said unemployment would continue to rise.
2 MODAL You use would when saying what someone intended to do. □ The statement added that these views would be discussed by both sides. □ George decided it was such a rare car that he would only use it for a few shows.
3 MODAL You use would when you are referring to the result or effect of a possible situation. □ Ordinarily it would be fun to be taken to fabulous restaurants. □ It would be wrong to suggest that police officers were not annoyed by acts of indecency. □ It would cost very much more for the four of us to go from Italy.
4 MODAL You use would , or would have with a past participle, to indicate that you are assuming or guessing that something is true, because you have good reasons for thinking it. □ You wouldn't know him. □ His fans would already be familiar with Caroline. □ It was half seven; her mother would be annoyed because he was so late.
5 MODAL You use would in the main clause of some 'if' and 'unless' sentences to indicate something you consider to be fairly unlikely to happen. □ If only I could get some sleep, I would be able to cope. □ A policeman would not live one year if he obeyed these regulations.
6 MODAL You use would to say that someone was willing to do something. You use would not to indicate that they refused to do something. □ They said they would give the police their full cooperation. □ She indicated that she would help her boss. □ He wouldn't say where he had picked up the information.
7 MODAL You use would not to indicate that something did not happen, often in spite of a lot of effort. □ He kicked, pushed, and hurled his shoulder at the door. It wouldn't open. □ The battery got flatter and flatter, until it wouldn't turn the engine at all.
8 MODAL You use would , especially with 'like', 'love', and 'wish', when saying that someone wants to do or have a particular thing or wants a particular thing to happen. □ Right now, your mom would like a cup of coffee. □ Ideally, she would love to become pregnant again. □ He wished it would end.