Meaning and Origin
What does the name Worthy mean? Keep reading to find the user submitted meanings, dictionary definitions, and more.
User Submitted Origins
- 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.]
- 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.]
- Of high station; of high social position.(Obs)" Worthy women of the town." [Chaucer.]
Etymology: OE. worthi wurþi, from worth wurþ, n.; cf. Icel. verðugr, D. waardig, G. würdig, OHG. wirdīg. See Worth (n.)
- An important, honorable person (word is often used humorously)
- Worthy of being chosen especially as a spouse
- Having qualities or abilities that merit recognition in some way ("behavior worthy of reprobation" and "a fact worthy of attention")
- Having worth or merit or value; being honorable or admirable ("a worthy fellow" and "a worthy cause")
From Middle English worthy, wurthi, from Old English *weorþiġ (“"worthy"”), equivalent to worth + -y. Cognate with Dutch waardig (“worthy”), Middle Low German werdig (“worthy”), German würdig (“worthy”), Swedish värdig (“worthy”), Icelandic verðugt (“worthy”).
- a distinguished or eminent person
From Middle English worthien, wurthien, from Old English weorþian (“to esteem, honor, worship, distinguish, celebrate, exalt, praise, adorn, deck, enrich, reward”), from Proto-Germanic *werþōną (“to be worthy, estimate, appreciate, appraise”), from Proto-Indo-European *wert- (“to turn, wind”). Cognate with German werten (“to rate, judge, grade, score”), Swedish värdera (“to evaluate, rate, size up, assess, estimate”), Icelandic virða (“to respect, esteem”).
worthy was also found in the following language(s): Middle English