[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/worthy/) [dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [W](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/w/) / worthy # worthy adjective (worthy, worthier, worthiest); noun (a worthy, worthies — old or jokey) «worthy» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova. ## Everyday 1. Deserving respect, praise or attention: a worthy winner. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/worthy/#m1) 2. Worthy of something means deserving it: worthy of a prize. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/worthy/#m2) 3. Good and useful, but sometimes a bit dull: a worthy cause, a worthy book. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/worthy/#m3) 4. (noun, old or jokey) An important person: the local worthies. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/worthy/#m4) ### In the lessons A values word. Charities are «worthy causes»; a deserving champion is «a worthy winner». In stories, heroes prove themselves worthy. In church and the Bible: «Worthy is the Lamb» — Christians praise Jesus as worthy. Also part of compound words: trustworthy, praiseworthy, newsworthy, seaworthy (a boat safe to sail — Toad's friends hope his boats are seaworthy). ### Examples - She was a worthy winner of the race. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/worthy/#x1) - The story is worthy of a prize. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/worthy/#x2) - We raised money for a worthy cause. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/worthy/#x3) - «Worthy is the Lamb,» sang the choir. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/worthy/#x4) - Prove yourself worthy of their trust. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/worthy/#x5) - The town's worthies met in the hall. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/worthy/#x6) - Is the old boat still seaworthy? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/worthy/#x7) - But the following statement is worthy of notice. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/worthy/#x8) ### Note Comparative «worthier», superlative «worthiest»; noun «worthiness». «Worthy of» + noun. Compounds with -worthy mean «deserving» or «fit for». ## In Jewish tradition It means deserving. "A sin worthy of death" is a crime that the law says deserves the death penalty. Jacob says he is "not worthy" of God's kindness. In the prophets "worthies" means a nation's brave or important men. **Interpretation.** The rabbis made the death penalty very hard to apply, with strict rules of evidence. Jacob's words are taken as a model of humility. ### Examples - And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree; (Torah DEU.21.22, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/worthy/#x1) - But unto the damsel thou shalt do nothing; there is in the damsel no sin worthy of death; for as when a man riseth against his neighbour, and slayeth him, even so is this matter. (Torah DEU.22.26, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/worthy/#x2) - I am not worthy of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which Thou hast shown unto Thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two camps. (Torah GEN.32.10, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/worthy/#x3) - He bethinketh himself of his worthies; they stumble in their march; they make haste to the wall thereof, and the mantelet is prepared. (Prophets NAM.2.6, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/worthy/#x4) - But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my peace, for the adversary is not worthy that the king be endamaged.' (Writings EST.7.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/worthy/#x5) - Thy shepherds slumber, O king of Assyria, thy worthies are at rest; thy people are scattered upon the mountains, and there is none to gather them. (Prophets NAM.3.18, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/worthy/#x6) ### Note Comparative «worthier», superlative «worthiest»; noun «worthiness». «Worthy of» + noun. Compounds with -worthy mean «deserving» or «fit for». ## On Mova - [Trees and pragmatics of «worthy» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/worthy/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«worthy» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/worthy.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «worthy» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/worthy/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«worthy» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/worthy.html) on Mova free.