unworthy
C1Formal, Literary
Definition
Meaning
Not deserving respect, praise, reward, or attention; lacking merit or value.
Inadequately or poorly adapted for a particular role, task, or standard; beneath one's dignity or principles; not fit for association with something superior.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often used to express moral judgment or strong disapproval, suggesting a failure to meet an expected standard of character or behavior. Can describe people, actions, feelings, or objects. Implies a comparative or absolute lack of worth.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage. 'Unworthy of' is the standard construction in both varieties.
Connotations
Slightly more common in formal/religious contexts in historical British usage, but this distinction has largely faded.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both varieties. Slightly higher in literary/formal registers.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + be/become/feel + unworthy[Subject] + be/become/feel + unworthy + of + [noun phrase]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “unworthy of the name”
- “unworthy of notice/mention”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Could be used in ethical evaluations, e.g., 'conduct unworthy of a professional.'
Academic
Used in philosophical, ethical, or literary criticism to describe actions, characters, or arguments lacking merit.
Everyday
Used to express strong personal judgment, often about behavior, e.g., 'That comment was unworthy of you.'
Technical
Not applicable in most technical fields.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- (To unworthy is not a standard verb)
American English
- (To unworthy is not a standard verb)
adverb
British English
- (Unworthily) He acted unworthily in that situation.
- (Rare)
American English
- (Unworthily) She believed she had been treated unworthily.
- (Rare)
adjective
British English
- He felt unworthy of the honour bestowed upon him.
- Such shoddy workmanship is unworthy of the brand.
American English
- She rejected the award, calling herself unworthy of it.
- The senator's lies were unworthy of his office.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The spoiled child was unworthy of the nice gift.
- He is unworthy to be your friend.
- I felt unworthy of their trust after my mistake.
- That film is unworthy of a great director.
- The politician's corrupt actions were deemed unworthy of public office.
- She struggled with feelings of being unworthy of love.
- The critic dismissed the novel as an unworthy successor to the author's masterpiece.
- His petty jealousy was unworthy of a man of his intellect and stature.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: UN + WORTHY. It's the opposite of 'worthy.' If something has 'no worth' or is 'not worthy,' it is unworthy.
Conceptual Metaphor
WORTH IS VERTICALITY / STATUS. 'Unworthy' is low status, beneath something. SCALE/JUDGMENT: Failing to meet a standard on a scale of merit.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid directly translating as 'нестоящий' (which implies cheap/flimsy). The core is 'недостойный'. Do not confuse with 'unworth' (archaic/non-existent).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'unworthy for' instead of the correct 'unworthy of'. Treating it as a noun (e.g., 'an unworthy') is very rare/archaic.
Practice
Quiz
Which preposition most commonly follows 'unworthy'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The adjective is almost always followed by the preposition 'of' (unworthy of someone/something).
Yes. It can describe people, their actions/feelings, or objects/works that fail to meet a standard (e.g., 'an unworthy imitation', 'a prize unworthy of the competition').
It is more common in formal, literary, or serious contexts. In everyday conversation, people might use simpler phrases like 'not deserving' or 'not good enough'.
'Unworthiness' is the abstract noun (e.g., 'a sense of unworthiness'). There is no common concrete noun form.
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