Worthful

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Having great worth, merit or value in the eyes of others
2. Deserving high regard because of the considerable value one holds
3. Possessing substantial merit and esteem, as an archaic term for valuable

Etymology: "Worthful" is a plain formation: the noun "worth," meaning value or merit, with the suffix "-ful," which turns a noun into an adjective meaning "full of" or "having" that quality. A worthful thing is one that has a great deal of worth. The pairing is transparent, so the word needs little unpacking beyond its two parts. The adjective is now archaic, and "worthy" and "valuable" have taken its place in ordinary use. Its literal sense of being full of worth is the same idea that "-ful" gives to words like "useful" and "faithful," and the word sits alongside them in that pattern.

Synonyms: worthy, valuable

Antonyms: worthless