noun
pennyworth
PEN-ee-wurth/ˈpeniwɜːrθ/
A small amount of something, especially as much as a penny buys.
A copper penny buys a pennyworth of candy in a tiny bag.
Etymology
Penny plus worth measures goods by their price: whatever one penny could buy. This concrete purchasing sense also gave rise to the broader meaning “a small amount.”
In context
… it was no uncommon sight to see him in the street carrying home two pennyworth of cream in a little jug.
More examples
- The old receipt lists a pennyworth of salt.
- She buys two pennyworths of ribbon to trim the hat.
- He doesn't have a pennyworth of patience left.
Forms
pennyworth · pennyworths
penny noun — A coin worth one cent.