worthless
UK: ˈwɜːθləs | US: ˈwɜːrθləs
adj. having no value or usefulness
adj. (of a person) lacking merit or dignity
The word "worthless" combines "worth" (Old English weorþ, meaning "value" or "merit") with the suffix "-less" (Old English -lēas, meaning "without"). The suffix "-less" is a productive morpheme in English, often added to nouns to form adjectives denoting absence (e.g., "hopeless," "fearless"). The fusion reflects a straightforward logical progression: "worth" + "less" = "without value." This construction has been used since Middle English to describe objects or people deemed lacking in worth.
The broken vase was worthless and had to be thrown away.
He felt worthless after losing his job.
The counterfeit money proved worthless upon inspection.
Her advice was worthless because she had no experience in the field.
The old coins turned out to be worthless replicas.