| worst-case |
of or describing the worst possible case, situation, result, or the like. |
| worst-case scenario |
the worst possible set of events that could follow. |
| worsted |
a fine, smooth, firm, compact yarn spun of tightly twisted wool fibers. [3 definitions] |
| wort1 |
a plant, vegetable, root, or herb (usu. used in combination). |
| wort2 |
an infusion of malt that ferments into beer or mash. |
| worth |
good, valuable, or important enough to warrant. [8 definitions] |
| worth it |
successful in compensating for the effort, time, trouble, or expense required. |
| worthless |
without importance, use, or value. [2 definitions] |
| worth one's salt |
deserving of the wages one receives; competent. |
| worthwhile |
valuable or rewarding enough to be worth the expenditure of time and energy. |
| worthy |
having adequate or considerable worth or merit; admirable; commendable. [3 definitions] |
| wot |
a spelling of "what" used to represent the way the word is sometimes informally pronounced, especially when one is surprised, shocked, or being humorous. |
| would |
used as a past form of "will1" after verbs in the past tense that report speech or thoughts. [5 definitions] |
| would-be |
wanting or pretending to be. [2 definitions] |
| would like |
used as a tentative form of "want" in order to express a greater degree of politeness than "want" expresses or when the possibility of doing what one wants is not considered likely or certain. |
| wouldn't |
contracted form of "would not." |
| would rather |
used to express a preference for one thing over another (usu. fol. by an infinitive of a verb without "to" or a clause in the subjunctive mood, but can also be followed by a noun). |
| would've |
contracted form of "would have." |
| wound1 |
an injury to living tissue, usu. involving penetration or cutting of the external surface. [4 definitions] |
| wound2 |
past tense and past participle of wind2. |
| wound up |
in a state of excitement, nervousness, or anxiety. |