pennyworth

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   an amount of something that can be bought for one penny

   The child asked the shopkeeper for a pennyworth of sweets.

2. 2
   noun

   a very small amount or quantity

   He did not contribute a pennyworth of useful advice to the discussion.

3. 3
   noun

   good value for the money paid; a bargain

   At that price, the sturdy old table was a real pennyworth.

A compound of penny + worth, recorded in Old English as penigweorth. It first meant goods to the value of one penny and later developed the senses "a small amount" and "a bargain." The contracted British form is penn'orth.

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