worth

I UK [wɜː(r)θ] / US [wɜrθ] adjective ***

Summary:

Worth usually follows the verb "to be" and is always followed by either a noun, pronoun, or number, or by the "-ing" form of a verb: The painting is probably worth thousands of pounds. ♦ It was a difficult journey, but it was worth it. ♦ The film was definitely worth seeing.
Get it right: worth:
The adjective worth is never followed by an infinitive. Use the pattern worth doing something:
Wrong: Is it really worth to spend five years of your life studying?
Right: Is it really worth spending five years of your life studying?
Wrong: The ban on smoking in restaurants is worth to discuss.
Right: The ban on smoking in restaurants is worth discussing. Note also that the active form of the verb is always used, whether the meaning is active or passive. You can say "this is worth thinking about" or "it is worth thinking about this":
Wrong: History is a subject well worth being taught.
Right: History is a subject well worth teaching.

1) if you say how much something is worth, you state its value in money

How much do you reckon the house is worth?

worth ten pounds/$100/a lot etc:

a Gucci watch worth £1,000

I didn't think the furniture would be worth anything.

worth a fortune (= worth a very large sum of money):

The building itself must be worth a fortune.

2) used for saying that there is a good enough reason for doing something, because it is important, enjoyable, useful etc

be worth doing/having/seeing etc:

The book is definitely worth reading.

We believe that our freedom is worth fighting for.

worth a try/visit/look:

Owen's plan was risky, but it was worth a try.

well worth:

The Museum of Fine Arts is well worth a visit.

be worth the effort/time/trouble:

It's a long way, and probably not worth the effort.

it is worth doing something:

It's worth talking to your financial adviser before making your final decision.

be worth it:

It was hard work, but it was worth it in the end.

3) used for saying how good, useful, or reliable someone or something is

be worth something/a lot/a great deal etc:

She knows that her loyalty is worth a great deal to Charles.

I'm afraid the government's promises aren't worth much.

4) used for saying how rich someone is

She is now worth 20 million dollars.

•

what's it worth (to you)? — spoken used for asking someone what reward they will give you if you do what they want

- be worth someone's while

- be worth your weight in gold

- do something for all you're worth

- for what it's worth

- make it worth someone's while

- something is not worth the paper it is printed on

- worth while

See:

salt I

II UK [wɜː(r)θ] / US [wɜrθ] noun [uncountable]

1)

a) an amount measured by the financial value that it has

ten pounds'/$100 etc worth (of something):

The fire destroyed millions of pounds' worth of equipment.

b) an amount measured by the time it lasts

two days'/12 hours' etc worth:

They've produced five hours' worth of videos showing the glories of Scotland.

2) how good, useful, or important someone or something is

The United Nations has proved its worth over the years.

3) the financial value of something

Houses are being sold at prices far below their true worth.