Estimable vs. Worthy — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on October 26, 2023
"Estimable" refers to someone or something deserving respect or admiration. "Worthy" denotes deserving effort, attention, or respect. Both denote value, but "estimable" often implies a higher regard.
Difference Between Estimable and Worthy
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Estimable" is a term that, by its nature, emphasizes the inherent value, respectability, or admirability of a person or thing. When something or someone is described as estimable, it connotes a sense of high regard or reverence, often because of qualities that are particularly commendable. On the other hand, "worthy" is a broader term that signifies merit or deservingness. While it too indicates value, its application can range from everyday merits to higher virtues.
"Worthy" often precedes nouns to describe something as deserving a particular action or recognition. For instance, a topic might be "worthy of discussion" or an individual "worthy of praise." The focus is on the adequacy or suitability for a specific acknowledgment or action. In contrast, "estimable" leans towards the idea of deserving admiration or respect because of inherent qualities, not just because of suitability for a particular action or recognition.
It's worth noting that "worthy" is more commonly used in everyday language. Its versatile nature allows it to be applied in various contexts, from denoting basic adequacy to higher virtues. "Estimable," however, is less common and often reserved for contexts where a heightened sense of respect or admiration is intended.
In essence, while both "estimable" and "worthy" highlight positive qualities that make someone or something deserving of a particular kind of attention or respect, "estimable" typically implies a loftier kind of admiration or esteem, whereas "worthy" can be more varied in its degree of commendation.
Comparison Chart
Primary Meaning
Deserving respect/admiration
Deserving effort, attention, or respect
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Usage Frequency
Less common
More common
Context of Use
Often implies higher regard
Varies from basic to high regard
Typical Prepositions
"Estimable in" (qualities)
"Worthy of" (action/recognition)
Synonyms
Admirable, respectable
Deserving, meritorious
Compare with Definitions
Estimable
Deserving of respect or admiration.
She is an estimable leader in the community.
Worthy
Deserving effort, attention, or respect.
It's a cause worthy of support.
Estimable
Meriting high regard or esteem.
Her estimable traits were recognized by all.
Worthy
Having merit or value.
She proved herself worthy of the award.
Estimable
Holding significant value or worth.
His contributions to science are estimable.
Worthy
Sufficiently good, important, or interesting.
The book is worthy of a read.
Estimable
Notable in a positive manner.
The museum held an estimable collection of artifacts.
Worthy
Meeting the required standard.
He is worthy to join the team.
Estimable
Possible to estimate
Estimable assets.
An estimable distance.
Worthy
Having or showing qualities that deserve respect or admiration.
A worthy opponent in the debate.
Estimable
Deserving of esteem; admirable
An estimable young professor.
Worthy
Having or showing the qualities that deserve the specified action or regard
These issues are worthy of further consideration
Estimable
Worthy of esteem; admirable.
Worthy
Characterized by good intent but lacking in humour or imagination
Worthy but tedious advice
Estimable
(archaic) Valuable.
Worthy
A person notable or important in a particular sphere
Schools governed by local worthies
Estimable
Capable of being estimated; estimatable.
Worthy
Having worth, merit, or value
A worthy cause.
Estimable
Capable of being estimated or valued; as, estimable damage.
Worthy
Honorable; admirable
A worthy fellow.
Estimable
Valuable; worth a great price.
A pound of man's flesh, taken from a man,Is not so estimable, profitable neither,As flesh of muttons, beefs, or goats.
Worthy
Having sufficient worth; deserving
Worthy to be revered.
Worthy of acclaim.
Estimable
Worth of esteem or respect; deserving our good opinion or regard.
A lady said of her two companions, that one was more amiable, the other more estimable.
Worthy
An eminent or distinguished person.
Estimable
A thing worthy of regard.
One of the peculiar estimables of her country.
Worthy
Having worth, merit, or value.
Estimable
Deserving of respect or high regard
Worthy
Admirable or honourable.
Estimable
Deserving of esteem and respect;
All respectable companies give guarantees
Ruined the family's good name
Worthy
Deserving, or having sufficient worth.
Estimable
May be computed or estimated;
A calculable risk
Computable odds
Estimable assets
Worthy
Suited; suitable; befitting.
Estimable
Of commendable quality or character.
The novelist produced an estimable body of work.
Worthy
A distinguished or eminent person.
Worthy
(transitive) To render or treat as worthy; exalt; revere; honour; esteem; respect; value; reward; adore.
Worthy
Having worth or excellence; possessing merit; valuable; deserving; estimable; excellent; virtuous.
Full worthy was he in his lordes war.
These banished men that I have kept withalAre men endued with worthy qualities.
Happier thou mayst be, worthier canst not be.
This worthy mind should worthy things embrace.
Worthy
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.
The merciless Macdonwald,Worthy to be a rebel.
Whose shoes I am not worthy to bear.
And thou art worthy that thou shouldst not knowMore happiness.
The lodging is well worthy of the guest.
Worthy
Of high station; of high social position.
Worthy women of the town.
Worthy
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.
Worthy
To render worthy; to exalt into a hero.
Worthy
Word is often used humorously
Worthy
Having worth or merit or value; being honorable or admirable;
A worthy fellow
No student deemed worthy, and chosen for admission, would be kept out for lack of funds
Worthy of acclaim
Orthy of consideration
A worthy cause
Worthy
Worthy of being chosen especially as a spouse;
The parents found the girl suitable for their son
Worthy
Meriting respect or esteem;
The worthy gentleman
Worthy
Having high moral qualities;
A noble spirit
A solid citizen
An upstanding man
A worthy successor
Worthy
Morally admirable;
A worthy citizen
Common Curiosities
What preposition typically follows "worthy"?
"Worthy" is often followed by "of."
Can "worthy" describe both people and things?
Yes, both people and things can be described as "worthy."
Is "estimable" commonly used in modern language?
"Estimable" is less common than "worthy" and is often reserved for specific contexts.
Can something be "worthy" but not "estimable"?
Yes, something can merit attention (worthy) without necessarily deserving high admiration (estimable).
Can "estimable" describe tangible objects?
Yes, for example, "an estimable work of art."
Is "worthy" always used in a positive context?
Typically, yes, though it might sometimes indicate mere adequacy.
Are "estimable" and "worthy" synonyms?
They overlap in meaning, but "estimable" often implies higher regard.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
