The word "worthless" is spelled using the phonetic transcription /ˈwərθləs/. The first syllable starts with the "w" sound, followed by the "uh" sound, pronounced as in "up" or "hut". The second syllable starts with the "th" sound, pronounced by placing the tongue between the teeth, followed by the "l" sound. The final syllable ends with the "-less" suffix, pronounced as "luhs". The word means of no value or use and the spelling can be difficult for non-native English speakers to master.
The term "worthless" refers to something that has little or no value or significance. This can describe objects, actions, or individuals that lack usefulness, importance, or quality. Worthlessness can be subjective or objective, depending on the context in which it is used.
In terms of objects, something can be considered worthless if it has no monetary or practical value. For example, a broken chair that cannot be repaired or used would be deemed worthless. Similarly, an item that is outdated or obsolete can also be seen as worthless, as it no longer serves its intended purpose or has lost its value over time.
Regarding actions, worthless can describe efforts, tasks, or endeavors that generate no meaningful outcome or contribute no real benefit. It suggests that time, resources, or energy have been wasted for little or no gain. For instance, if someone spends hours on an unproductive task that could have been completed more efficiently in minutes, their efforts may be viewed as worthless.
Regarding individuals, referring to someone as worthless can be a derogatory or degrading comment, suggesting that they lack value or worth as a person. However, it's essential to note that this usage is highly offensive and disrespectful. People inherently possess worth and have unique contributions to offer society, and labeling someone as worthless is erroneous and unfair.
Overall, worthless denotes something that lacks value, significance, or purpose, making it generally undesirable or dismissible.
Without value; without virtue or moral excellence; degraded.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "worthless" can be traced back to the combination of two Old English words: "weorþ" which means "worth" or "value", and "leas" which means "lacking" or "false". In Old English, "weorþleas" meant "lacking in worth" or "without value". Over time, the word transformed and adapted, eventually evolving into its current form, "worthless", in Modern English.