Why are worthless and priceless opposites when worth and price have the same meaning?

Answer 1

That's a good question, but worth and price are actually not exactly the same. Something could have a very high price, and yet still be worthless to many people. For instance, a Monopoly set made out of gold. Only a collector would buy such a thing... it is much too expensive to be purchased just as a game.

Something could also have a very low price and a high worth. For instance, a loaf of bread or a box of macaroni and cheese to a homeless person or a starving college student. Worth is often a measure of value, but not necessarily a financial value. Price is usually financial.

The difference comes because we value "worth" more than "price." Something that has high worth, but low price is ideal, and something with high price and low worth is shunned. Without worth is bad, and without price is good. Worthiness versus costliness.

Worthless means the item has no value (at least to the person speaking). A free block of ice for an Eskimo would be worthless, since they have an abundance of ice already. However, in Phoenix during the summer, free ice might draw a crowd. Your advice, for instance, could be worthless, even though there is no way to place a price on that among friends. There would be a price for advice only if you were a consultant to a company. Empty of worth is bad.

Priceless means you cannot put a price on this item; it is too valuable. A soul has a high worth, but would be priceless, even if you could sell such a thing. Advice could also be priceless, or a child's smile, or a chance to relax after a long week. Empty of price is good.