Suffix -WORTHY

The Suffix -WORTHY in English (Meaning, Use & Examples)

Hello English learners, and welcome to a new lesson. Today, we’re looking at the suffix -worthy, a useful word-building element that helps you describe what deserves attention, praise, trust, or recognition.

Understanding suffixes like -worthy will help you expand your vocabulary efficiently, recognise unfamiliar words while reading and express opinions more precisely in writing and speaking.

This is especially useful at B2–C1 level (B2 First, C1 Advanced), where accuracy and range really matter.

What Does -WORTHY Mean?

The suffix -worthy means – deserving something or having enough value for something

It is most often added to nouns to create adjectives.

• award → award-worthy
• trust → trustworthy
• praise → praiseworthy

Common Words with -WORTHY

Below are some of the most useful and natural examples, with clear meanings and realistic sentences.

Award-worthy

deserving an award because of high quality or excellence.

The film received glowing reviews and was widely considered award-worthy.

Blameworthy

deserving blame for something wrong or harmful.

Although many factors contributed to the mistake, he was ultimately blameworthy.

Creditworthy

financially reliable enough to receive credit or a loan.

The bank decided she was creditworthy and approved the mortgage.

Newsworthy

If something is newsworthy, it is interesting or important enough to appear in the news — usually because it affects many people or is unusual.

The discovery attracted international attention and was widely described as newsworthy by major media outlets.

Noteworthy

We use noteworthy to highlight something that stands out and deserves special attention.

One particularly noteworthy aspect of the report is how clearly it explains the problem and its possible solutions.

Praiseworthy

Something praiseworthy deserves admiration, often because it shows effort, courage, or kindness.

Volunteering every weekend to help vulnerable families is a praiseworthy commitment, especially alongside a full-time job.

Roadworthy

A vehicle is roadworthy when it is in a safe condition and legally fit to be driven.

After a full inspection, the mechanic assured us that the car was roadworthy and safe to use on long journeys.

Story-worthy

An experience is story-worthy if it is memorable, emotional, or interesting enough to be turned into a story.

Getting lost in the mountains overnight was frightening at the time, but it later became a story-worthy adventure.

Trustworthy

A trustworthy person is someone you can rely on to be honest and dependable.

Over the years, she has proven herself trustworthy, never breaking a promise or letting anyone down.

View-worthy

We describe something as view-worthy when it is worth watching, usually because it is beautiful, engaging, or well-made.

Although the plot is slow, the film is still view-worthy thanks to its stunning scenery.

Patterns to Notice

Adjectives using the suffix -worthy are often used in formal or semi-formal English. They frequently appear in reviews, reports, opinion essays and news articles.

Typical collocations using the suffix -worthy:

• considered award-worthy
• highly praiseworthy
• widely regarded as noteworthy

Common Learner Mistakes

❌ He is worthy to trust.

✔️ He is trustworthy.

❌ The film is worth award.

✔️ The film is award-worthy.

❌ She did something praise-worthy.

✔️ She did something praiseworthy.

Final Takeaway

The suffix -worthy allows you to express judgement clearly, sound more precise and natural and expand your vocabulary without memorising long lists.

If you can recognise what something deserves, you can often describe it using -worthy.

Learn about negative prefixes and suffixes in English here