worthy Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an important, honorable person (word is often used humorously)
    • he told his story to some conservative worthies
    • local worthies rarely challenged the chief constable
  2. adjective having worth or merit or value; being honorable or admirable
    • a worthy fellow
    • a worthy cause
  3. adjective satellite worthy of being chosen especially as a spouse
    suitable; desirable.
    • the parents found the girl suitable for their son
  4. adjective satellite having qualities or abilities that merit recognition in some way
    • behavior worthy of reprobation
    • a fact worthy of attention

WordNet

Wor"thy adjective
Etymology
OE. worthi, wurÞi, from worth, wurÞ, n.; cf. Icel. verthugr, D. waardig, G. würdig, OHG. wirdig. See Worth, n.
Wordforms
comparative Worthier ; superlative Worthiest
Definitions
  1. Having worth or excellence; possessing merit; valuable; deserving; estimable; excellent; virtuous.
    Full worthy was he in his lordes war. Chaucer.
    These banished men that I have kept withal Are men endued with worthy qualities. Shak.
    Happier thou mayst be, worthier canst not be. Milton.
    This worthy mind should worthy things embrace. Sir J. Davies.
  2. Having suitable, adapted, or equivalent qualities or value; -- usually with of before the thing compared or the object; more rarely, with a following infinitive instead of of, or with that; as, worthy of, equal in excellence, value, or dignity to; entitled to; meriting; -- usually in a good sense, but sometimes in a bad one.
    No, Warwick, thou art worthy of the sway. Shak.
    The merciless Macdonwald, Worthy to be a rebel. Shak.
    Whose shoes I am not worthy to bear. Matt. iii. 11.
    And thou art worthy that thou shouldst not know More happiness. Milton.
    The lodging is well worthy of the guest. Dryden.
  3. Of high station; of high social position. Obs.
    Worthy women of the town. Chaucer.
    Burrill.
Wor"thy noun
Wordforms
plural Worthies
Definitions
  1. A man of eminent worth or value; one distinguished for useful and estimable qualities; a person of conspicuous desert; -- much used in the plural; as, the worthies of the church; political worthies; military worthies.
    The blood of ancient worthies in his veins. Cowper.
Wor"thy transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To render worthy; to exalt into a hero. Obs. Shak.

Webster 1913